DEEP Project Presents Next Generation of Supercomputers

Jülich / Hannover, 7 March 2016 – At CeBIT 2016 (14 – 18 March), Forschungszentrum Jülich is presenting a new computer architecture for the next generation of supercomputers. The architecture which was developed in the EU research project DEEP (Dynamical Exascale Entry Platform) is based on the Cluster-Booster concept. A prototype with the DEEP system is already in operation at Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC). At Hannover, the researchers are showcasing a smaller version of the Booster with an innovative and very efficient cooling system, the GreenICE Booster. The Booster is a special development within the DEEP project. (Stand of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hall 6, Stand C30)

Supercomputer with turbocharger

The Cluster-Booster concept functions like a turbocharger in a combustion engine. The idea is that the Booster accelerates the Cluster part. A cluster of high-performance multicore processors executes the complex components of a program. Simple program parts are implemented by Booster modules (Intel Xeon Phi processors), which consist of a large number of simple processor cores. Such cores can calculate these simple tasks in a much more energy-efficient manner.
The novel aspect of the concept is that the Booster module is completely outside the system. This increases the flexibility and performance of the system enormously. "The Cluster-Booster principle will have a decisive influence on the development of future supercomputers," says Prof. Thomas Lippert, head of JSC. "It is specially tailored to the demands of exascale computers, which will be up to one thousand times faster than the present fastest computers in the world."

GreenICE

One of the greatest challenges facing future supercomputers is their energy consumption. The costs of cooling the individual computer components could become completely prohibitive. DEEP tested two cooling systems: direct water cooling of the large Booster system and liquid immersion cooling for the GreenICE prototype system. The latter is on display at CeBIT. The electronic assemblies are immersed in a special high-tech liquid which evaporates even at moderate temperatures. The phase transition from liquid to gaseous maximizes the cooling effect. This means that no waste heat is given off into space and the energy requirements for cooling are cut to about one percent of the overall system consumption.

The DEEP project received funding of € 8.4 million from the EU. JSC coordinated the project, in which 16 European research institutions and commercial companies jointly developed the DEEP system from 2011 to 2015.

GreenICE Prototype
The GreenICE cooling system. The electronic assemblies are immersed in a special high-tech liquid which evaporates even at moderate temperatures. The phase transition from liquid to gaseous maximizes the cooling effect.
Forschungszentrum Jülich
DEEP Project Manager Estela Suarez
DEEP Project Manager Estela Suarez
Forschungszentrum Jülich

Further Information:

DEEP Project

DEEP Project Brochure

Jülich Supercomputing Centre

Supercomputer with turbocharger, Press release from 5 November 2015

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Lippert
Director of Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC)
Tel. +49 2461 61-6402
Email: th.lippert@fz-juelich.de

Dr. Estela Suarez
Project Manager DEEP, Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC)
Email: e.suarez@fz-juelich.de

Press Contact:

Dr. Regine Panknin
Corporate Communications, Forschungszentrum Jülich
Tel.: +49 2461 61-9054
Email: r.panknin@fz-juelich.de

Last Modified: 22.05.2022