Since its inception in 1964, high-performance computing (HPC), has seen rapid development since then. The CDC6600 was the first supercomputer to be introduced. The world has generated an enormous amount of data since then. HPC’s ability to process this data faster and more efficiently has been crucial.
The need to process data faster has forced HPC designers and innovators to think outside of the box. This includes how it’s processed, and how it ends up being processed.
Cloud computing is now established and the floodgates are open for new supercomputing innovations. These are the top 5 trends in HPC – what do they mean for modern enterprises to make the most of this new wealth of data?
Related post – How does HPC meet Big data?
Trend #1. Artificial Intelligence will be used to improve HPC
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a key component of current HPC trends. The internet-of-things (IoT), 5G and other data-driven technologies have made it possible for AI to make a significant impact on high-performance computing and vice versa.
AI workloads require high-performance computers. However, AI can be used to enhance HPC data centers. AI can monitor the overall health of the system, including storage, servers and networking gear. This allows for correct configuration and prevents equipment failure. AI can be used by companies to optimize heating and cooling systems and reduce electricity consumption.
AI is important in security of the HPC system as it can be used for screening incoming and outgoing data to detect malware. It can protect data via behavioral analytics and anomaly detection.
Trend #2. As a service, high-performance computing will become even more accessible.
The as-a-service revolution was born with the emergence of cloud computing. High-performance computing has joined the ranks. Many vendors are now offering HPCaaS (HPCaaS) instead of selling HPC equipment. This allows companies who don’t have the resources or the infrastructure to build their own HPC platform, to benefit from HPC via the cloud.
Many cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services, Google, and Alibaba now offer HPCaaS. HPCaaS offers many benefits, including ease of deployment, scalability and predictability of cost.
Trend #3. Edge Computing will increase speed and value
High-performance computing data centers can be deployed on-site, in the cloud or at the edge (depending on how that edge is defined) by companies. For the speedier response times and bandwidth-saving advantages they offer, organizations are increasingly choosing edge (or distributed) deployments.
Modern applications require that data computation and storage be performed as close as possible to modern devices in order to meet stricter, 5G-enabled latency SLAs.
High-performance computing is characterized by speed. The faster HPCs are able to compute data, the more data they have and the more difficult problems they can solve. High-performance computers will grow in power and value as edge computing becomes more popular.
Trend #4. GPU Computing will be on the Rise
Graphic processing units (GPUs), originally designed for gaming have become one of the most important types in computing technology. A GPU is a highly specialized processing unit that can process many pieces of data simultaneously. This makes GPUs ideal for machine learning, video editing and gaming applications.
Weather forecasting, data mining and other processes that require high-speed computations and speed are just a few of the applications that make use GPUs for HPC. NVIDIA is NVIDIA’s largest manufacturer of GPUs.
Trend #5. Trend #5. Modern data storage will be a critical investment.
Computing, networking, storage are the three main components of a high-performance computing system. It is crucial to have a modern, powerful data storage solution for HPC, as it is the most critical element.
The HPC system’s storage system must be capable of storing the large amount of data required for high-performance computing.
- Data can be retrieved from any node at any time
- Any size data request can be handled
- Support performance-oriented protocols
- Rapidly scale to meet the increasing demands of latency SLAs
It is important to select a data storage option that will keep your HPC system future-proof.