Compaq 'Supercomputer' Demo Exceeds All Goals In Phase One of ASCI
PathForward Program
System Demonstrates Scalable Performance Across 256 Alpha Processors
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 14, 1999--Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE:CPQ - news)
today announced that it has exceeded its ASCI (Accelerated Strategic Computing Initiative)
PathForward phase one goals by successfully completing the first of three
''supercomputers-from-commodity-parts'' demonstrations. Today's demonstration is Compaq's largest
and fastest supercomputer to date. Using 128 dual processor AlphaServer DS20 systems, Tru64 UNIX,
and Quadrics switch technology, the Alpha-based supercomputer surpassed PathForward goals for
memory bandwidth, process latency, and performance scaling across all 256 processors.
The Compaq demonstration system was assembled for and tested by the Department of Energy (DOE)
as part of the ASCI PathForward program. The ASCI program is responsible for developing the
computing capability needed to perform large-scale simulations of, and ensure confidence in, the safety,
performance and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile. A key element of the ASCI program,
PathForward is a technology partnership program jointly administered by the DOE's Lawrence Livermore
National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Sandia National Laboratories.
Last year, the DOE awarded Compaq an $11 million contract over four years. Under terms of the
contract, Compaq was required to demonstrate a system interconnect capable of tying together 128
Compaq Tru64 UNIX-based AlphaServer symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) nodes. Today's successful
demonstration of the 256 processor Alpha-based system successfully completes phase one,
surpassing PathForward goals for memory bandwidth, process latency, and performance. This
breakthrough performance ultimately will help scientists solve bigger science problems much faster and
at a lower cost.
Running on the AlphaServer DS20s, the switch and adapters deliver more than 200MB per second of
message passing bandwidth to the MPI processes. One-way latency using an 8 byte MPI pingpong test
was measured at less than 5.5 microseconds.
DOE used three codes as benchmarks to gauge how well the system's performance scaled as the
number of CPUs was increased. This is a critical determinant for constructing much larger computer
systems. All of the codes exhibited very good linear scaling from medium to large CPU counts. The
machine was able to deliver 33 percent of peak performance running the ASCI code sPPM. Running a
120,000 element MPI-based Linpack NXN test yielded 603MFlops/CPU for a total computational
capability of 154.4GFlops or 0.1544Teraflop. The capability of the system demonstrates the value of a
high bandwidth, low latency switch network to inter connect the memory subsystems.
''I am very pleased with the excellent results that have been achieved to date,'' said Jim Tomkins, the
Sandia Project Manager for the Compaq PathForward contract. ''With this first demonstration system,
Compaq has shown that it can build systems from commodity parts that will scale well on ASCI kinds
of problems. I am eagerly looking forward to the future developments that will occur as part of this
project.''
''The platform component strategy of the ASCI program is to build integrated, highly scalable scientific
computing capabilities from commodity, off-the-shelf building blocks at processing levels of 30TFLOPS
in 2001 and 100TFLOPS in 2004,'' said Gilbert G. Weigand, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Strategic
Computing and Simulation, Office of Defense Programs, U.S. Department of Energy. ''With Compaq's
demo today, they've successfully exceeded all ASCI PathForward phase one goals.''
''Today's successful demo is further proof of the 64-bit AlphaServer Tru64 UNIX platform's ultra-high
performance, scalability, and reliability,'' said Jesse Lipcon, Vice President of Compaq's High
Performance Server Division. ''We plan to continue to exceed the DOE goals by delivering the full
potential of the Alpha platform not only for the most demanding scientific applications, but also for
compute-intensive commercial and internetworking applications. In fact, we plan to use PathForward
technology in our products two years early because of our successful partnership with the DOE.''
Today's Compaq demonstration also reinforced and highlighted Compaq's collaboration with Quadrics
Supercomputing World, Ltd. (QSW), which is owned by Alenia Aerospazio, a Finmeccanica Company,
to provide a System Area Network (SAN) switch to enable the high speed connection of 128
AlphaServer DS20 systems. Compaq is employing QSW high-performance computer interconnect
technology and parallel operating environment as part of its PathForward solution. This will enable
configurations of AlphaServer clusters that deliver cost-effective, supercomputer-class performance in
fields such as science, research and manufacturing.
Quadrics Supercomputing World, Ltd. Background
Quadrics Supercomputing World, Ltd. is a UK company with offices in Bristol (UK) and Rome and Pisa
(Italy). Alenia Aerospazio (a Finmeccanica company) holds the majority ownership.
QSW is the European leader in the field of supercomputing with special emphasis on scaleable high
performance clustering technologies. QSW provides integrated HPC solutions based on these
components combined with standard commodity microprocessor platforms. QSW's major customers to
date are national and international research institutions, large industrial organisations both in Europe
and the US.
Company Background
Compaq Computer Corporation, a Fortune Global 100 company, is the second largest computer
company in the world and the largest global supplier of computer systems. Compaq develops and
markets hardware, software, solutions, and services, including industry-leading enterprise computing
solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, enterprise and network storage solutions,
commercial desktop and portable products and consumer PCs. The company is an industry leader in
environmentally friendly programs and business practices.
Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries through a network of authorized
Compaq marketing partners. Customer support and information about Compaq and its products are
available at compaq.com.
Compaq, Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Product names mentioned herein may be
trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Contact:
Compaq Computer Corporation
Steve Milmore
508-467-2259
steve.milmore@compaq.com
or
Shandwick International
Lauren Gilligan
617-351-4186
lgilligan@shandwick.com
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