High Performance Computing and Networking for Science--Background Paper
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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 336 066 IR 015 073 TITLE High Performance Computing and Networking for Science--Background Paper. INSTITUTION Congress of the U.S., Washington, D.C. Office of Technology Assessment. REPORT NC OTA-BP-CIT-59 PUB DATE Sep 89 NOTE 51p.; Fcc reports and hearings on the High Performarce Computing Acts of 1989, 1990, and 1991, see ED 323 244, ED 329 226, and ED 332 693-694. AVAILABLE FROM Superintcndent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (Stock No. 052-003-01164-6; $2.25). PUB TYPE Information Analyses (070) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC03 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Computer Networks; Federal Government; Federal Legislation; *Information Networks; *Information Technology; International Programs; *National Programs; Public Policy; *Research and Development; Telecommunications IDENTIFIERS *High Performance Computing; *National Research and Education Network; Supercomputers ABSTRACT The Office of Technology Assessment is conducting an assessment of the eff3cts of new information technologies--includirg high performance computing, data networking, and mass data archiving--on research and development. This paper offers a view of the issues and their implications for current discussions about Federal supercomputer initiatives and legislative initiatives concerning a national data communication network. The observations to date emphasize the critical importance of advanced information technology to research and development in the United States, the interconnection of these telecommunications technologies into a national system program, and the need for immediate and coordinated federal action to bring into being an advanced information technology infrastructure to support U.S. research, engineering, and education. High performance computers are discussed in detail using the Cornell Theory Center, the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, the San Diego Supercomputer Center, and the John von Neumann National Supercomputer Center as examples. Several high performance computer facilities at the state level are also reviewed, as well as ct-anges in the scientific computing environment, the review and renewal of the Nr*tional Science Foundation (NSF) Centers, and international programs in Japan and Europe. A detailed discussion of the status of and policy issues surrounding data networking for science focused on the proposed National Research and Education Network (NREN) concludes the document. A list of reviewers and the names and affiliations of the High Performance Computing and Networking for Science Advisory Panel are inciuded. (DB) HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING & NETWORKING FOR SCIENCE cez A U S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Re learch and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) 0 This document has been reproouced as received from the person or organization originating 0 Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality Points of view or opinions stated in this docu ment do not necessarily representofficial OERI position or policy Deer fumymoan arse s. Office of Technology Assessn.ent Congressional Board of the 101st Congress EDWARD NI. KENNEDYALissdebusetts, CLARENCE . MILLER,Ohio, Vit Senate House ERNEST F. HOLLINCS MORRIS K. I'DALL Snuth Cam/ma 11/Un, CLAIBORNE PELL (;EORC.F. F. BROWN, .11( Rhode IsIdnd C,IlifornLi FED Sri:AA:AS JOHN D. DINtiELL ALIck4 hiqm) ORR IN ;ILA 1 1 DON SLNDQUIST rtah Ten 11('!siT CHAR LES E. (i1(:\SSLEy AM() 11( )L(;HT)N lot% .Ve%% l'ork JOHN IL GIBBONS (Nunvotmg Advisory Council PERRY DAVID S YITER. C/hurnhin NE11. HARE WILI 1M) 1r01110h CM' rill murs Com (Rey) StAte 1. 111VCrW 1:ILASF. N. PETERS()N, A'ne ANI ES C !IV NT SALLY RIDE ersitv of Unwer!-nv n; Tennesse Cahlornid Spare Institute SEPII E ROSS CHRLES A BOWSLIER HENRY Kt )111.ER J Gencidi.11«,untlitg()trice 'tliversity rIzona (:Ongressiomil Researt. Service LEI)11(IiERG )IIN SINIS \11(:11FI. I HLBOLIN JOSI Alu he/ T. I idihoott hiergt ( :IC Rockefeller l'tillersit% 1.sibelli Cud! Aline, inc. Director JOHN H. ( -,111BONs thr 111AN \I)C(I III 1I,C kind >CI>I I li,)tit( IS (III ()I .\ 1d. iNflt% CU ii.()IInd! HIGHPERFORMANCE COMPUTING &NETWORKING FOR SCIENCE BACKGROUND PAPER CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES OFFICEOF TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT 4 Recommended Citation: U.S. Congress, Office of itchnology Assessment, High Performance Computing and Networking for Science--Background Paper, OTA-BP-CIT-59 (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, September 1989). Libraiy of Congress Catalog Card Number 89-600758 For sale by the Superintendent of Docvments U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (Order form can be found in the back of this report.) 11 Foreword Information technology is fundamental to today's research and development: high performance computers for solving complex problems; high-speed data communication networks for exchanging scientific and engineering information; very large electronic archives for storing scientific and technical data; and new display technologies for visualizing the results of analyses. This background paper explores key issues concerning the Federal role in supporting national high performance computing facilities and in developing a national research and education network. Itis the first publication from our assessment,Information Technology and Research,which was requested by the House Committee on Science and lbchnology and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. OTA gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the many experts, within and outside the government, who served as panelists, workshop participants, contractors, reviewers, detailees, and advisers for this document. As with all OTA reports, however, the content is solely me responsibihty of OTA and does not necessarily constitute the consensus or endorsement of the advisory panel, workshop participants, or the Ibchnology Assessment Board. JOHN H. GIBBONS Director III 6 High Performance Computing and Networking for Science Advisory Panel John P. (Pat) Crecine, Chairman President, Georria Institute of Technology Charles Bender Lawrence Landweber Sharon J. Rogers Director Chairman University Librarian Ohio Supercomputer Center Computer Science Department Gelman Library University of Wisconsin-Madison The George Washington University Charles DeLisi Chairman Carl Ledbetter William Schrader Department of Biomathematical President/CEO President Science ETA Systems NYSERNET Mount Sinai School of Medicine Donald Marsh Kenneth Toy Deborah L. Estrin Vice President, Technology Post-Co aduate Resear,h A istant Professor Contel Corp. Geophysicist Scripps Institution of Oceanography r-Jrnputer Science Depurtment Michael J. McGill Uidversity of Southern California Vice President Keith Uncaphez Robert Ewald lechnical Assessment & DevelopmentVice President Vice President, Software OCLC, Computer Library Center, Inc. Corporation for the National Research Initiatives Cray Research, inc. Kenneth W. Neves Kenneth Flamm Manager Al Weis Senior Fellow Research & Development Program Vice President The Brookings Institution Boeing Computer Services Engineering & Scientific Computer Data Systems Division Malcolm Cetz Bernard O'Lear IBM Corp. Associate Provost Manager of Systems Information Services & Technology National Center for Atmospheric Vanderbilt University Research Ira Goldstein William Poduska Vice President, Research Chairman of the Board Open Software Foundation Stellar Computer, Inc. Robert E. Kraut ttium. Rich Manager Directoi Interpersonal Communicadons Group ArtificiAl Intelligence Lab Bell Communications Research Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corp. NOTE: OTA is grateful for the valuable assistance and thoughtful critiques provided by the advisory panel. The views expresseicl in this OTA background paper, however, are the sole responsibility of the Office tg Technology Assessment. iv OTA Project StaffHigh Performance Computing John Andelin, Assistant Director, OTA Science, Information, and Natural Resources Division James W. Cur lin, Program Manager Communication and Information Technologies Program Fred W. Weingarten, Project Director Charles N. Brownstein, Senior Analyst] Lisa Heinz,Analyst Elizabeth I. Miller, Research Assistant Administrati ve St4ff Elizabeth Emaauel, Administrative Assistant Karolyn Swauger, Secretary Jo Anne Price, Secretary Other Contributors Bill Bartelone Mervin Jones Timothy Lynagh Legislative/Federal Program Program Analyst Supervisory Data and Manager Defense Automation Resources Program Analyst Cray Research, inc. Information Center Government Services Administration I Detailix from NSF List of Reviewers Janice Abraham Eloise E. Clark Judson M. Harper Executive Director Vice President, Academic Vice President of Research Cornell Theory Center Affairs Colorado State University Cornell University Bowling Green University Gene Hemp Lee R. Alley Paul Coleman Senior Associate V.P. for Assistant Vice President for Professor Academic Affairs Information Resources ManagementInstitute of Geophysics and University of Florida Arizona State University Space Physics University of California Nobuaki leda James Almond Senior Vice President Director Michael R. Dingerson NTT America, Inc. Center for High Performance Associate Vice Chancellor for Computing Research and Dean of the Hiroshi Inose Balcones Research Center Graduate School Director General University of Mississippi National Center for Science Julius Archibald Information System Department Chairman Christopher