HP Joins CERN Collaboration to Advance Grid Computing Technologies

 

PALO ALTO, Calif., and GENEVA, Sept. 25, 2002


HP (NYSE:HPQ) and CERN, Europe's top laboratory for particle physics, today announced that HP has joined the CERN openlab for DataGrid applications. The CERN openlab is an industrial collaboration formed to push the limits of emerging grid technologies by developing novel solutions to the massive data storage and analysis challenges of both the research community and the IT industry.

CERN's next-generation particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider, will begin generating data at the rate of millions of gigabytes -- or petabytes -- per second, starting in 2007. Even though only a minute fraction of this data will be stored for further analysis, this will still result in dozens of petabytes per year. The huge datasets will be distributed worldwide so that scientists everywhere can have access to them.

Other collaborators in the CERN openlab include Intel and Enterasys Networks. HP will initially supply CERN with advanced hardware to construct a 32-node cluster of computers optimized for data-intensive scientific computing. Code-named the "CERN opencluster," it will be powered by ItaniumŪ 2 processors provided by Intel and linked to CERN's emerging DataGrid infrastructure via a high-speed 10 gigabit Ethernet backbone provided by Enterasys Networks.

Going well beyond hardware, the collaboration will enable researchers from CERN and HP Labs to explore solutions beyond today's Internet-based computing. Deploying the CERN opencluster into the demanding worldwide grid environment being used for physics simulations could provide valuable insight for how the grid could be used in future information processing infrastructures and utilities.

"The research alliance with CERN provides HP with a demanding testbed for some of our most advanced IT solutions and it will be an excellent proving ground for our hardware," said Jim Duley, director for technology programs, HP University Relations. "We look forward to contributing to the CERN openlab and using the experience to help bring the benefits of grid computing to the enterprise."

"It's a win-win arrangement," said Manuel Delfino, IT division leader, CERN. "CERN gains access to some of the world's most advanced technologies for building IT infrastructure and provides in return a focused and extreme computational challenge with which to test it. HP will bring invaluable experience to the group and we are thrilled to have them join us."

More information about the CERN openlab for DataGrid applications collaboration is available at http://www.cern.ch/openlab.

About CERN

CERN is the European Organization for Nuclear Research, the world's largest particle physics centre near Geneva, Switzerland. Technological development at CERN has given the world advances as varied as medical imaging and the World Wide Web. Founded in 1954, the laboratory was one of Europe's first joint ventures and has become a shining example of international collaboration. From the original 12 signatories of the CERN convention, membership has grown to the present 20 member states. More information about CERN is available at http://www.cern.ch/.

About HP

HP is a leading global provider of products, technologies, solutions and services to consumers and businesses. The company's offerings span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and printing. HP completed its merger transaction involving Compaq Computer Corp. on May 3, 2002. More information about HP is available at http://www.hp.com.

 

 


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