Large Computational Cluster Pilot to Assist Campus Researchers

Classroom Technology Services (CTS) recently began a year-long test to utilize its 415 publicly accessible computers as a large computational cluster to assist UC Davis researchers. Working with staff from the Department of Computational Science and Engineering to create the cluster, CTS will provide an additional service where unused computers can run calculations. When the machine is not being used or a user is not actively logged onto the computer, the machine will run small programs to analyze a portion of research data. This method creates a virtual super computer out of the 415 computers. During the 2004-05 academic year, CTS will review the impact of the program on the core instructional support mission and value to the research mission.