Prototyping a National Infrastructure for Computing in the 21^st Century

As part of the NSF-sponsored National Computational Science Alliance, Boston University's Center for Computational Science (CCS) and Scientific Computing and Visualization group (SCV) are engaged in the challenging task of helping to create the nation's computing infrastructure for the coming millenium.

Jointly, the Center and SCV have long provided regional leadership in parallel supercomputing, visualization, and networking. With major resources that include a 192 processor SGI Origin 2000 and two ImmersaDesk virtual reality stations, they bring together researchers, educators, and students who are pioneering the application of advanced computing to problems in the sciences, engineering, arts, and humanities. Scientists at CCS/SCV are developing the tools and technologies needed to build an advanced distributed computing environment. They are also leading the effort in education and outreach for the NSF-funded National Partnership for Advanced Computing Infrastructure.

The access and support that CCS/SCV provide reaches beyond traditional scientific users of advanced computing technologies. SCV has pioneered a program of High Performance Computing in the Arts (HiPArt), an outreach program based on the belief that the arts and high performance computing technology can mutually benefit one another. HiPArt hosts creative projects that allow artists to explore the boundaries of modern computing technology including interaction via avatars in a networked, multi-user, virtual environment; animated cg models; and localized audio and telephony collaboration among participating artists. A new installation "Spirited Ruins" will debut this month as a feature of the Boston CyberArts Festival.

The CCS/SCV MARINER project (Mid-level Alliance Resource In the North East Region), a regional center of high performance computing resources, serves as a vehicle for sharing the University's considerable experience, expertise, knowledge and facilities with partners in the Northeast and across the nation. MARINER provides a catalyst for the wide diffusion of technologies throughout the region, facilitates links to the Alliance's other supercomputing centers, and helps initiate advanced computing and networking projects in schools, community organizations and the private sector. MARINER also provides education and training programs, access to state of the art computing equipment, and opportunities for pilot projects, Internet connectivity and industrial partnerships.

CCS/SCV also maintains the Origin2000 Supercomputer Repository, to serve as a resource for information about SGI's Origin2000 parallel supercomputer. The repository aids in disseminating up-to-date information, provides training materials, and serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas and experiences among users of the Origin2000.