I think we can start this as a Beowulf cluster for distributed computing
such as is done with local universities right now. Just need to tighten
the network between them, I think.
(Entire message quoted for the benefit of PLUG)
On Fri, Apr 20, 2001 at 03:48:06PM +0800, Selwyn Clyde M. Alojipan wrote:
> Acquiring a supercomputer for shared use within the Philippines can be
> accomplished similarly to the way the first Internet connection to the
> Philippines was set-up in 1993~94. We can organize it as an equivalent of
> the NASA moon missions wherein the entire country will work using the same
> vision and battlecry: "The Philippine Supercomputer Project!"
>
> (1) The scientific and academic research community, spearheaded by the DOST
> + NCC with representatives from the main universities, will brainstorm what
> they can use a supercomputer for and what they'd like to accomplish with it.
> Suggested topics can be contributed also by potential users from the
> financial (banks), design engineering (semiconductor manufacturing),
> telecom, anti-crime and other government agencies, or by any random tribe of
> computer enthusiasts.
>
> (2) DOST, NCC, DTI, DITC (if it ever gets established), etc., or a specially
> organized Task Force will come up with a standard usage submission,
> selection, scheduling, pricing, and billing system for cost-sharing and
> providing services by a non-profit foundation that will establish and manage
> the supercomputer facility. The supercomputer facility should operate as a
> public utility, with appropriate safeguards and usage guidelines. It can
> start small but be scaleable to serve the entire country's needs from 2003
> to 2010.
>
> (3) Prospective users will be registered and asked to deposit either an
> initial or an ongoing monthly cash contribution. Additional financing can be
> solicited as grants or donations. This will give the foundation some
> start-up money. Initial successes will be promoted and marketed to gain a
> continuing stream of local and foreign users/subscribers.
>
> (4) The supercomputer's technical specifications will be prescribed and a
> short list of qualified suppliers will be drawn up. After the final design
> specs are approved, initial component units will be purchased from the
> approved suppliers. I suggest that the final design specs should consist of
> a combination of SMP or VP units. It could start with just a multi-server
> cluster (mid to mainframes connected together before Japanese-made (cheaper)
> high-end core unit is finally added to it. Eventually, the main
> supercomputer facility should be housed in a fire-proof, earthquake-proof
> bunker with its own independent power supply, secure datacom links, and
> secure physical access.
>
> (5) Included in the specs and architecture should be multiple broadband
> connections to PhIX and other local exchanges. This can start small and grow
> larger as needed. This supercomputer linkage will become part of the
> Phiilippine Internet Infrastructure. It should also be linked by broadband
> connections to one or more Internet data storage centers, but with
> appropriate safeguards.
>
> (6) The initial supercomputer facility will be launched for business
> operations so it could start generating revenue and usage experience. Later,
> other supercomputer components that are housed off-site (e.g., other
> campuses or facilities) can be linked to it. Profits will be used to expand
> the staff, Internet connectivity, software, hardware components, and to
> initiate other value-added services that could become profitable later.
>
> (7) Administration, logistics, personnel, financing, security, and other
> requirements will be streamlined as operational experience with using the
> supercomputer accumulates. Usage services shall be offered to the general
> public and institutional customers, with various levels of encryption and
> security, as the client can afford.
>
> (8) Results of the supercomputer applications will be documented to take
> note of errors, solutions, lessons learned, benefits gained, and to
> encourage nationwide participation. Contributions to the Project from all
> Filipinos and foreign friends will be acknowledged and recognized. A select
> few will be chosen from the horde of aspiring candidates as the "Father of
> the Philippine Supercomputer," "Grandfather of the Philippine
> Supercomputer," "Godfather of the Philippine Supercomputer," "Nursemaid of
> the Philippine Supercomputer," and so on.
>
> This is doable. Seven years ago we launched the Philippine Internet on a
> shoe-string budget and wide-eyed enthusiasm. We succeeded beyond our wildest
> dreams and we're now reaping the benefits from the realized dreams of our
> Internet pioneers. Can't we do the same for a viable commercial
> supercomputer facility?
>
> If we as a people really want to do it, then all we need to do is copy what
> the Japanese and Americans are doing with their government and corporate
> supercomputers. That shouldn't be so hard, right? Or would you want the
> Philippines to be the ONLY country in Southeast Asia (or the entire Third
> World) without its own supercomputer by 2010?
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> Every generalization is false, including this one.
> ==================================================
> `/) /) Selwyn Clyde M. Alojipan TIP#2704
> /______/ E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] DCI#207605
> \_/^\_/ Quezon City, Philippines ICQ 2324719
> VoiceFaxMail: +63(2)914-7000 Message1#(632)4340004
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2001 6:39 AM
> Subject: [digitalfilipino] Re: So this is RP eCommerce...
>
>
> Supercomputers or high performance computers (HPC) in the us and
> japan are used to compute specialized task such as weather, traffic
> forecasting, climate modeling, crash/impact simulation, computational
> chemistry and physics. Supercomputers uses vector processing (VP).
> Cray, Fujitsu, NEC have VP supercomputers.
>
> Business sectors use general-purpose servers (mid to mainframes). Sun
> Enterprise 10000 (Starfire) is a SMP (highend server). Though Sun has
> a strategy to cluster symmetric-multiprocessing (SMP) so it can give
> supercomputer capability. Thus, to set up a supercomputer facility
> you need a cluster of high-end servers.
>
> Though some big companies have supercomputers. But they are use for
> for complex modeling and simulation applications.
>
> I don't think at present the Philippines have a supercomputer
> facility. But as what Selwyn said, we should have one. But is it
> really worth having one?
>
>
> Some supercomputer links :
> Cray supercomputers - www.tera.com
> Sun Microsystems - www.sun.com/solutions/hpc
> Fujitsu Systems - www.fujitsu.co.uk/prod_hard.htm
>
> -----
> alan
>
>
> [snipped]
>
>
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