VIDEO Unboxing Canada's BIGGEST Supercomputer!

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Unboxing Canada's BIGGEST Supercomputer! In a fascinating YouTube video, the most powerful supercomputer in Canada, named Cedar, is unveiled. This massive machine boasts an impressive 27,000 Intel Xeon cores, 190 terabytes of RAM, and a staggering 64 petabytes of storage. Cedar is set to be a vital resource for researchers tackling complex issues across various fields, including human genome studies, bioinformatics, and particle physics.

Key Features of Cedar​

• Cost: The supercomputer was financed with over $16 million from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation.
• Space Utilization: It occupies a quarter of a 5,000 square foot data center, with room for potential growth.
• Efficiency: Notably, Cedar has a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) rating of 1.07, considerably more efficient than typical data centers, which often range from 1.5 to 2.

  Infrastructure Breakdown​

  1. High Availability Racks: These specialized racks ensure mission-critical operations with dual power supplies and extensive backup systems.
  2. Network Connections: Cedar utilizes dual 100-gigabit connections for outstanding bandwidth and redundancy, backed up by additional connections in case of outages.
  3. Storage Systems:
     • Includes a 50 petabyte IBM tape library for archival storage.
     • A separate, high-performance Data Direct Network storage appliance can handle up to 40 gigabytes per second, making it ideal for data-intensive applications.
  4. Compute Nodes: Cedar contains various types of compute nodes optimized for different tasks:
     • Basic Nodes: 576 nodes with dual Xeon processors, primarily for general research tasks.
     • High Memory Nodes: Equipped with up to 1.5 terabytes of RAM for high-memory workloads.
     • GPU Nodes: Tailored for advanced computational tasks like AI and molecular dynamics, featuring quad Nvidia Tesla P100 graphics cards.

       Cooling Mechanisms​

       Cedar's innovative cooling system features rear door heat exchangers and evaporative cooling systems, which allow it to maintain efficient operating temperatures, minimizing the need for expensive cooling units. This is particularly crucial given the significant power draw of the machine, reaching up to 560,000 watts. The video provides an engaging tour of this engineering marvel, showcasing how advanced technologies are making high-performance computing more efficient and accessible in Canada. It's a significant leap for research capabilities, embodying a true powerhouse in the realm of computing.

       Engage with the Community​

       What do you think about the advancements in supercomputing technology? Are you excited about how tools like Cedar will elevate research capabilities? Share your thoughts below! Also, feel free to discuss other high-tech initiatives that interest you!