NERSC Science Requirements

The National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC) is the flagship scientific computing facility for the Department of Energy''s Office of Science. NERSC's mission is to provide systems and services that maximize the scientific productivity of its user community.

In support of its mission and to maintain its reputation as one of the best run scientific computing facilities in the world, NERSC proactively addresses new challenges by regularly collecting requirements data from a variety of sources. This includes monitoring the NERSC ERCAP requests and allocations, observing the way its computing and storage systems are used, and direct interaction with the scientists that use the facility and their DOE program managers.

Data obtained from requirements studies are combined with monitoring of technology trends to help set enterprise-wide objectives for NERSC science-driven systems and services. In other words, these data have a direct impact on NERSC planning and procurements for computing, storage, networking, and visualization platforms as well as the entire range of support activities that enable a broad range of scientists to effectively use NERSC systems in their research.

ERCAP Requests and Allocations

Allocations for NERSC systems are managed by the DOE Office of Science and the analysis of annual requests made and allocation granted as a function of science area, DOE program, and the wealth of other data contained in the requests is critical for understanding historical trends and for an initial view of how NERSC systems will be used in the near term.

Users, Scientists, and Program Office Workshops

NERSC conducts regular production computing requirements workshops for each of the six DOE/SC program offices. The workshops elicit information from program managers and key scientists about the current and future computational requirements for each science area managed by the particular program office. There is also a FAQ page to assist case study authors.

Workshop pages