MRI: Acquisition of a Linux Cluster Super Computer for Meteorological Modeling and Computer Science Research and Education

San Jose State University Foundation, San Jose CA

Investigators

Abstract

EIA 02-16661 Rafkin, Scot Chun, Robert San Jose State University Title: MRI/RUI/MII: Acquisition of a Linux Cluster Super Computer for Meteorological Modeling and Computer Science Research and Education Project Proposed: This proposal from an RUI/MII institution, establishing a Linux-based parallel computing cluster, aims to simulate meteorological phenomena and study and teach the use of parallel processors. The infrastructure will be used in support of ongoing Numerical modeling of the atmosphere of Mars using the Mars Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (MRAMS) and Computer Science Research in the parallel and distributed hardware and software. The first component will benefit the following current research underway: Large eddy simulations (LESs) of the Martian atmosphere to provide insight into the structure and dynamics of the highly unstable convective boundary layer (including the dynamics of dusts devils) Mesoscale simulations of past and proposed Mars landing sites Simulation of local and regional dust storms, and wind-produced landforms (aids satellite observations) Simulations of orographic water ice and carbon dioxide clouds. The second component will investigate and/or explore Software optimization of the MRAMS code (tune it for maximum performance on hardware platform) and Alternative hardware architectures for high-performance computing The cluster will serve as a central research platform to investigate processor-to-processor communication overhead, memory contention of symmetric multiprocessors, cache coherence, and distributed processing. Moreover, performance of novel processor, memory, and network topologies will be evaluated.