Pleiades Supercomputer to be Augmented with Next-Generation SGI ICE-X Systems
A team of high-end computing experts in the NASA Advanced Supercomputing (NAS) Division has selected SGI's newest-generation ICE X system, containing Intel Xeon E5-2680V2 (Ivy Bridge) processors, to augment NASA's flagship Pleiades supercomputer. One of the world's most powerful production systems, Pleiades is a critical resource for scientists and engineers to conduct modeling and simulation projects for the agency's aeronautics, Earth and space sciences, space operations and exploration missions.
NAS systems engineers are now working with SGI to finalize the configuration, and installation is scheduled to begin in late July when the first 16 Ivy Bridge racks are delivered. The plan includes disconnecting 20 Harpertown racks to accommodate the first shipment, and keeping the remaining Harpertown racks in production to minimize the impact to users during the deployment.
Once the first 16 racks are online and stable, the remaining Harpertown racks will be removed, the Ivy Bridge rack installation will be completed, and the systems will be run through a series of extensive tests. The new resources are scheduled for release to the user community in late summer or early fall 2013.
