Department of High Performance Computing

Caro server farm

The department of High Performance Computing researches, benchmarks, and evaluates new algorithms as well as programming and data models with focus on improving the efficiency of simulation software for current and future high-performance computing architectures.

As a competence center, the experts work together with other DLR institutes and contribute their know-how to tackle the challenges in the area of high-performance computing.

Important activities among the main research priorities are:

  • As an HPC competence center, the department shares know-how with other DLR institutes in order to develop customized solutions for the HPC optimization of the specific simulation software. A thorough analysis of code performance is the first step to identify less efficient sections of the code. Based on the results, concepts for increasing efficiency and scalability are derived and implemented. In addition, novel highly efficient methods and techniques for certain algorithms may be available to replace previous implementations. In such a case, this can be the basis of an additional optimization step.
  • To provide code optimization service, in-depth knowledge of highly efficient methods and techniques for certain algorithms is required. To acquire this expertise, benchmarking and evaluation with regard to algorithmic efficiency and parallel scalability of new methods and techniques are to be carried out.
  • Development and assessment of programming, data and storage models with regard to their efficiency and portability. The comparison when used in different simulation software for aviation allows further conclusions to be drawn for the specific applications. The goal is to provide promising concepts and to build the necessary expertise for the optimization of HPC tools for future hardware architectures.
  • Support of other DLR institutes in the further development of simulation methods, whereby the highest possible efficiency and scalability can already be taken into account when designing the software.
  • Tracking and evaluating new trends in future high-performance computer architectures, on the one hand to derive strategies for future software developments and on the other hand to support the acquisition of new computing technologies by means of tenders for HPC clusters. With this expertise the department is responsible for the procurement and installation of new HPC clusters for two central installations of DLR.
  • Central HPC services in the department not belonging to the computer operation support, such as administration of hardware and system software stack: Focal point for all DLR HPC users and the cluster operator ZIH. Central software installations of DLR application software including versioning.
  • Identification of prospective research fields in the area of high performance computing.

Contact

Dr. Thomas Gerhold

Head of Department
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Institute of Software Methods for Product Virtualization
Nöthnitzer Str. 46b, 01187 Dresden