High-performance computing (HPC) processes data and performs complex calculations accurately at high speeds. Research shows that a computer system with a 3GHz processor performs around three billion calculations per second. 

Although these calculations are faster, they are nothing against HPC when you compare the speed of calculations. It is because HPC systems can perform quadrillions of data calculations per second. 

For example, a supercomputer has thousands of nodes that collaborate to complete multiple tasks. The concept is known as parallel processing. Compute, network and storage are three crucial components of HPC. Let us discuss them! 

Compute  

Compute is an essential component of HPC. It is an individual computer or part of the high-performance computing cluster. For example, a compute node in HPC has two clusters, and each one contains a single CPU, a hard drive, RAM, and a network card. Compute nodes allow for storing temporary files. 

Bear in mind that HPC focuses on distributed computing to solve complex and larger problems quickly and efficiently. A network that contains compute servers form clusters to build and streamline the high-performance system. These compute servers run software, applications, and algorithms to perform and complete a wide range of tasks. 

Network 

Many people confuse HPC networks with typical local area networks and the internet. However, these are two different architectures. An HPC network design considers various factors, including packaging constraints and wire length. The network provides excellent performance for numerous applications based on sophisticated physical network topology. Common topologies in HPC networks are:

• Bus
• Point to Point 
• Mesh or Grid 
• Torus 
• Indirect Networks 

Make sure the networking component of your HPC system supports high-speed data transportation between compute servers and storage. If the network is not up to the mark, it will compromise the entire HPC system. 

Storage 

Storage systems are an essential component of the HPC infrastructure that keeps the CPU performing high-speed calculations. At the same time, it reads and writes data from disk drivers efficiently. 

HPC systems require a different approach due to massive data retrieval and storage requirements. A sophisticated HPC system has streamlined storage components that efficiently and quickly send and receive data from the compute servers. 

Final Words 

If you want to achieve high-speed operations, maximum performance, and optimal results, make sure your HPC system’s components align with each other. For instance, the storage system must collaborate with compute servers to feed and ingest data between them. 

At the same time, the networking component must transport the data quickly at a very high speed between compute nodes. Remember, when one component fails to perform its functions, the other two will not operate efficiently. 

As a result, you will have a compromised HPC system, leading to slow speed, minimum performance, and inaccurate results. Therefore, we recommend hiring a professional company like Clovertex to get the most out of your HPC system. Contact us today!