Greetings!
Here is an update on the combined HPC purchase. Essentially all equipment has been delivered. Penguin is on-site and has begun installation and parts inventory. Once the cluster is set up, it will undergo a series of acceptance tests, including several that require multiple days of error-free processing. Tests will be run at the unit level, concurrently on each cluster, and cluster-wide. The original schedule called for Penguin to run these tests at their facility. However, Penguin and GT have agreed to perform these tests on-site to assure that all tests specified in the Agreement are completed successfully. This also mitigates some impact on the schedule as a result of parts supply delays, which have now been resolved. In light of this, we’ve also eliminated the need for a visit to Penguin’s factory in California.
FYI, below is the current schedule – some further adjustments may be necessary pending results of testing. Now that the installation is underway, we’ll be sending out updates a little more frequently.
mid February (ON TARGET)
- delivery of equipment
late February
- setup of equipment to be used by users for “early testing”
mid/late March
- completion of on-site testing by Penguin
late March/early April
- OIT completes software installation
- ready for user acceptance testing
early/mid April
- ready for research
A reminder: If you have plans, or know of anybody who does, for additional HPC systems in the next 18 months or so, please contact me.