Considerations for Data Centre HPC Infrastructure

Data centres and high-performance computing (HPC) play pivotal roles in modern technology and business. Data centres serve as the core for data storage and processing, while HPC is crucial for solving complex computational problems. This article aims to explore the key considerations in building and maintaining HPC infrastructure, helping businesses make informed decisions when designing and operating data centres.

What Exactly is HPC?

HPC refers to using clusters, grids, and supercomputers to improve computational efficiency and processing power. By organising computer resources and using suitable algorithms and programs, HPC can handle large, complex, and demanding scientific computations and data processing tasks efficiently and accurately. HPC features high speed, large capacity, and high concurrency. Its main components include processors, memory, storage, and networks.

HPC infrastructure combines hardware, software, system management, and data centre facilities to support complex shared tasks. Enterprises and research institutions can opt for cloud-based deployment or manage and upgrade the infrastructure themselves.

For further information, also check: What Is HPC?

Three Key Components of HPC Infrastructure

Conventional HPC infrastructure includes three main sections: compute, network, and storage, each with requirements for performance, latency, power consumption, scalability, efficiency, and security.

Compute

The compute section includes CPUs and GPUs, accelerators, Networks-on-Chip (NoCs), and compute servers for handling high-performance data. The key aspects of this section are the complex multi-core or even multi-die system architecture, fast access to large memory, high-bandwidth I/O interfaces, power/cooling management, and security. On-chip monitoring and analysis can support RAS objectives.

The network section includes switches and routers, adapters, bridges, repeaters, network interface cards (such as smart NICs), and optoelectronic interconnect, providing high-performance connectivity with high throughput, low latency, high energy efficiency, configurability and scalability, real-time monitoring and reporting, and security. Debugging capabilities, forward error correction (FEC), and IP can support RAS requirements.

Storage

The storage section includes solid-state drives (SSD) or hard disk drives (HDD), storage area networks (SAN), and network-attached storage (NAS). Ideally, this section should provide high-bandwidth storage, reducing data transfer energy consumption and latency, with flexibility, scalability, reliability, and security. Features such as built-in self-test (BIST), error-correcting code (ECC), and redundancy can achieve high levels of RAS.

What Are the Challenges in Deploying HPC Infrastructure?

Computational Challenges

Although HPC hardware is widely understood and readily available, modular high-density servers can address computational limitations by making servers easy to scale and replace. High-performance servers equipped with dedicated high-speed local area networks (LANs) can also be used to achieve optimal performance. With regular technology updates and additional investment, HPC programmes can be continually optimised and upgraded.

Software Challenges

Managing the versions and interoperability of software components is a major difficulty in HPC software. Ensuring that the patching or updating of one component does not affect the stability and performance of other components is crucial. Thus, incorporating testing and validation as core parts of the HPC software update process is essential.

Facility Challenges

Many organisations face constraints related to physical data centre space, power, and cooling capacity when implementing HPC. Server upgrades provide an effective solution. By deploying larger, more powerful servers, it is possible to support more virtual machines, thereby increasing the number of HPC nodes without adding more physical servers. Additionally, concentrating virtual machines on the same physical server can reduce network load, as communication between virtual machines does not need to pass through the LAN.

Data Centre Power Solutions for HPC Infrastructure

Given the density and power demands of HPC infrastructure, power supply can be a significant challenge. Traditional power management systems used in modern data centres can effectively support today's high-power HPC racks. Looking ahead, the density of HPC clusters is likely to increase, prompting data centres to implement more efficient power management systems.

FS Power Redundancy Solutions

For instance, FS provides power redundancy solutions for data centres through dual-input Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS), double-conversion Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), and intelligent Power Distribution Units (PDU). Real-time monitoring can identify risks and prevent major power outages, ensuring continuous operation. Redundant systems automatically switch lines during power failures, safeguarding critical business operations. Energy-saving measures improve energy use efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the flexibility of power expansion.

Adapting to Increasing Data Demands

As data demands increase, so do the requirements for IT infrastructure. You can use FS solutions to plan and optimise your setup, reducing space wastage and enabling easy configuration for adding new IT infrastructure as needed. This proactive approach ensures that your data centre remains adaptable and capable of meeting the evolving needs of HPC deployments.

Final Thoughts

Building and maintaining HPC infrastructure is a complex and vital task. Through careful planning, selecting appropriate hardware and software, and effective management and monitoring, businesses can construct efficient, secure, and scalable HPC systems. Staying attuned to technological advancements and environmental sustainability can help businesses maintain a competitive edge in the future.