On Sat, 21 Apr 2001, Miguel A.L. Paraz wrote:
> 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.
>
this is a good idea. however, it still boils down to research agenda. i
believe that universities with their own supercomputer have their own
research agendas. the AdMU focuses currently on climate research and
computational chemistry. i am not sure with the other universities.
however, it is a good idea to network such resources. if only some agency
or ISP were willing to support such initiative. it would also be good to
be able to access the supercomputing resources of other universities in
line with their research agenda.
for example, i am from UP and i would like to run a MM5 model. however,
for the sake of example, there is not MM5 modeling tool in UP right now.
well, no problem i access the cluster of the AdMU. some goes for the
students and researches in different inititutions.
some administrators will always throw back the question...
what is in it for us?
> (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]
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > ph-isp mailing list
> > [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > http://lists.q-linux.com/mailman/listinfo/ph-isp
> >
>
> --
>
> http://www.internet.org.ph The Philippine Internet Resource
> Mobile Voice/Messaging: +63-917-810-9728
>
>
>
>
>
> _
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--------------------------------------
William Emmanuel S. Yu
Ateneo Cervini-Eliazo Networks (ACENT)
email : [EMAIL PROTECTED]
web : http://cersa.admu.edu.ph/
phone : 63(2)4266001-5925/5904
You have a strong appeal for members of the opposite sex.
_
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