The business case for choosing HPC Servers
High-performance computing (HPC) refers to the use of parallel processing for running advanced application programs efficiently, reliably and rapidly. Parallel processing runs a program in less time by dividing program instructions among multiple processors and processing them simultaneously. The term HPC is specifically used to denote systems that function above a teraflop, or 1012 floating-point operations per second
The most common users of High performance computer systems are: scientific researchers, engineers and academic institutions. Some government agencies, particularly the military, also employ High Performance computing for complex applications. As the never-ending demand for processing power and speed increases in our modern technological age, HPC servers will likely interest businesses of all sizes, particularly for transaction processing and data storage warehouses. The ultra-techno-savvy might use HPC servers to satisfy an exceptional desire for advanced technology. Gamers are one such group.
How do performance computers work?
High Performance Computers (HPC) commonly describes a range of computing services often used for research, large and complex computational problems, (which, as said earlier, are becoming more commonplace as technology and computer systems become ever increasingly complex), or large scale growth and storage needs. HPC servers consist of groups, or clusters of computer servers, sometimes with parallel architectures, and storage servers optimized for fast input and output.
Get optimum speed and power with a high performance computer
High Performance Computing increases computational speed and power. With HPC servers, you get more results, in less time, which equates to improved efficiency. And in a business world where time is money, High performance computers make sense for a business that needs to meet capacity demands for scalability. If you are looking to expand your business, you need to plan for the data processing, computational, and data storage needs of five years from now. Your computing system is an investment in the future of your company. It is better to have the performance capability that you can grow into, instead of the performance capability that will become obsolete within a couple of years, or less.
The benefits of cluster technology
Cluster technology means multiple servers and multiple processors are working on the same processes, simultaneously. This translates into quicker upload, and download time for data processing and computations. For instance, the same video that may take 8 hours to render on a single computer can render in 10 minutes with a High performance computer system. Once again, time is money, and the faster you can process and compute, the quicker you can finish your projects, and the more work you can accomplish in a given workday.
Multiple people accessing same the network at the same time will drag the network and slow it down as the bandwidth reaches its capacity. You may have noticed that during peak hours of usage, everything from certain sites on the internet to cell phone networks can slow down, causing frustration and decreased productivity. With HPC, groups of people can all get the data they need, instantaneously, and at the same time. They are not limited by bandwidth capacity. In a fast paced corporate environment where innovation and competition move at the speed of five minutes ago, it is vital for a growing business seeking to be an influencer in their market, and a leader in their industry, to be not only on course, but to be ahead of the game.
What benefits can HPC have for your business?
HPC servers allow you to complete calculations many times faster than you could use a conventional processor. This means that performance computers can speed up many time-consuming business processes. The benefits of this can show themselves in a variety of ways, depending on what you are doing. If you are designing a product, then faster evaluation of the design can reduce the time it takes to go to market. You might also run more detailed analysis, analysis which would take way too much time on a conventional processor, leading to a better designed product (For example, a simulation which takes one day on a petaflop machine would have taken you almost 3 years on the world\u2019s fastest computer a decade ago).
Where has HPC been used?
- Design of the Airbus, A380, would have been impossible without HPC to simulate airflow over the structure and the combustion processes in the engines.
- Prospect FS, a small Scottish company, uses HPC to simulate the effects of wind and waves on offshore electricity generation turbines.
- Formula 1 racing teams use HPC to optimize the design of their cars using aerodynamic simulations.
How much does it cost?
Top range High performance computers are expensive, in terms of capital and running costs, however most users do not need continuous access to this level of computing performance, so buying time or investing in a smaller machine can be a cost effective way to get access. The emergence of HPC available as a cloud computing service removes the need for a large capital expenditure. This can be a cost effective and intelligent way to evaluate HPC as a proof of concept before investing in equipment. As with all technologies, the costs and benefits need to be weighed. There are pros and cons to every business decision that must be fit within your businesses overall plan and meet your current and long-term needs. However, the entry costs of performance computers have lowered significantly in recent years, making it more affordable than ever before and more accessible to smaller-sized businesses.
What's the difference between HPC and Cloud Computing?
The term cloud computing refers to a model for how you can access computing facilities, rather than being about the technologies themselves. With the cloud model of computing, you buy the computing as a service, rather than owning and maintaining your own systems. The main benefit to the user is that it might be (but is not guaranteed to be) a lower cost and thus more affordable. The drawback is that you have less control of the resources, as they are not in your possession, and less ability to specify what you want.
To find out more about the options available to you for high performance computers and how they may benefit your business and meet your needs, give us a call today. A sales agent is available to discuss the many options we have and how we can customize our products to the solve your computing needs.
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