CaSToRC LinkSCEEM-2: A Computational Resource for the Development of Computational Sciences in the Eastern Mediterranean Jens Wiegand Scientific Coordinator e-AGE Integrating Arab e-Infrastructures in a global environment December 2012, Dubai, UAE

CaSToRC The Cyprus Institute An international research establishment, partnered with leading Institutions in the world, pursuing regional problems of global significance  Energy, Environment and Water Research Center (EEWRC) – opened in 2007  Science and Technology in Archaeology Research Center (STARC) – opened in 2009  Computation-based Science and Technology Research Center (CaSToRC) – opened in 2009

CaSToRC Computational-based Science and Technology Research Center (CaSToRC) Central goal: To develop world-class research and education in computational science serving the Eastern Mediterranean in collaboration with other regional institutions Cy-Tera High Performance Computing (HPC) facility  Cy-Tera (116 nodes: 98 CPU nodes, 18 GPU nodes, 30.5 Tflops)  Euclid (6 GPU nodes)  Prometheus (8 GPU nodes)  Planck (24 CPU nodes)

CaSToRC Computational Science in the Eastern Mediterranean  LinkSCEEM-1 project run from – assessment of HPC resources and users in the Eastern Mediterranean countries by HPC resources (status Nov 2012, source Need for additional computational resources (regional survey LinkSCEEM-1) Saudi Arabia - 0.4%,

CaSToRC Computational Science in the Eastern Mediterranean  LinkSCEEM-1 project run from – assessment of HPC resources and users in the Eastern Mediterranean Conclusions: Main factors that have hindered the development of computational science in the region limited access to HPC resources limited knowledge on HPC inadequate regional connectivity limited awareness of simulation as a scientific tool

CaSToRC Development of Computational Sciences in the Eastern Mediterranean HPC user community HPC user HPC e-infrastructure

CaSToRC LinkSCEEM-2 - Establish a HPC EcoSystem in the Eastern Mediterranean  Provide access to HPC resources  Provide training in HPC  Raise awareness for HPC research tools  Bring international expertise into the region

CaSToRC Access to HPC facilities within LinkSCEEM Regionally distributed LinkSCEEM e-infrastructure is being accessed through a joint call  CaSToRC: – Cy-Tera (CPU/GPU cluster, 30 TFlops) – EUCLID (LinkSCEEM training cluster)  BA: – Sun cluster (CPU, 12 TFlops)  Regional collaboration – HP-SEE (pilot access for LinkSCEEM users)

CaSToRC User Support and Training  User training – 19 training events in the region so far – participation in numerous community events  Online resources – training portal with tutorials – online user support – LinkSCEEM training cluster at CyI locations of LinkSCEEM events LinkSCEEM user support webpage

CaSToRC Project Research Themes  Cross sectional research – performance analysis and optimisation for community codes  Climate – development of atmospheric chemistry climate models to study the Eastern Mediterranean region  Digital cultural heritage – imaging and image processing of regional artifacts  Synchrotron radiation data analysis – synchrotron data analysis and simulation on GPU systems Mediterranean and Middle East hot spot of ozone air pollution Polynomial Texture Mapping of a copy of an ancient coin from Petra, Jordan, depicting Alexander the Great or one of his successors

CaSToRC Success stories  Project is in its 3 rd year now (duration of 4 years)  LinkSCEEM e-infrastructure is established  2 successful production access calls Projects by country: 1 st call Projects by country: 2 nd call

CaSToRC Summary  A clear need for development of a HPC user community was identified in the region  LinkSCEEM-2 addresses these needs by – providing HPC resources to the region – training the user community – transferring knowledge form experienced organisations – initiating and supporting HPC related research of regional relevance  But, Computational science will also need improved connectivity in the region Establishing a sustainable user community is a long term effort...

CaSToRC Summary... and LinkSCEEM helps to pave the way LinkSCEEM group

CaSToRC Thank you CaSToRC Acknowledgement Funding for LinkSCEEM is provided by DG-INFSO Grant Agreement Number: Call (part) identifier: FP7-INFRASTRUCTURES Topic: INFRA : Virtual Research Communities Funding Scheme: Combination of CP & CSA