CC* Regional Computing: CENVAL-ARC: Central Valley Accessible Research and Computational Hub

University Of California - Merced, Merced CA

Investigators

Abstract

The Central Valley Advanced Research Computing (CENVAL-ARC) initiative aims to address the computational resource needs in the historically underserved Central Valley region of California, enhancing research and educational opportunities for a broad spectrum of students and researchers within Hispanic-Serving Central Valley institutions. The project is led by the University of California, Merced (UCM), in collaboration with California State Universities (CSUs) - CSU Sacramento, CSU Stanislaus, and CSU Fresno. CENVAL-ARC's hardware setup comprises Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) nodes and Central Processing Unit (CPU) nodes, each with distinct configurations of processor and memory specifications. The hardware seamlessly integrates into UCM's existing Pinnacles High Performance Computing (HPC) cluster. The cluster also features efficient fast scratch and large data storage, enhancing data storage and accessibility for science drivers. CENVAL-ARC utilizes Ethernet and Omnipath networks, supported by open-source tools like XDMoD, for efficient cluster management and data transfers. Its connection to a Science DMZ enhances data exchange with external institutions, fostering collaborative research. Running on RedHat Linux with the Slurm scheduler, CENVAL-ARC's computational resources accommodate diverse research tasks. Standard CPU nodes and large-memory CPU nodes support activities such as intricate systems modeling and numerical optimization, while GPUs are indispensable for executing double-precision floating-point calculations and managing Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) workloads. CENVAL-ARC plays a transformative role in advancing research throughout the Central Valley. The project supports yearly research symposia that engage dozens of regional participants and empower researchers across various scientific domains. This initiative aligns with the National Science Foundation's vision for catalyzing scientific transformation through cyberinfrastructure, fostering translational research and discovery. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.