Intelligent Data Centres Issue 66 | Page 44

WHEN YOU INVEST IN A MULTIMILLION- POUND COMPUTER SYSTEM , IDLE TIME IS SIMPLY NOT AN OPTION . dedicated professionals with deep expertise . It is not just one role but several full-time positions that need to be fulfilled around the clock – when you invest in a multimillion-pound computer system , idle time is simply not an option .
E X P E R T O P I N I O N
Critical services
Maintaining an HPC system is no small feat and demands a specialised skill set . Merely relying on your existing IT department will not suffice . The complexities of a supercomputer require

WHEN YOU INVEST IN A MULTIMILLION- POUND COMPUTER SYSTEM , IDLE TIME IS SIMPLY NOT AN OPTION . dedicated professionals with deep expertise . It is not just one role but several full-time positions that need to be fulfilled around the clock – when you invest in a multimillion-pound computer system , idle time is simply not an option .
Colo credentials
While utilising a colocation provider resolves certain power and cooling challenges , only a limited number of providers can adequately cater for HPC requirements . Many have little experience of it and their business models may not support the custom builds required . This limitation stems from various factors , such as insufficient access to consistent power supply from the national grid . Cooling can also pose difficulties , as traditional methods may not meet the targeted cooling needs of HPC . Additionally , effectively managing heat removal remains a concern , even with modern in-row cooling solutions .
Furthermore , maintaining uninterrupted power during grid failures proves crucial for HPC workloads . Some colocation providers expect customers to prioritise workloads , which may be acceptable for general computing and storage tasks but is impractical for HPC , where the entire workload must be sustained to avoid significant time and resource losses .
In the many instances where migrating HPC workloads into the cloud or running them on-premise is not most viable , colocation can offer the optimum solution . However , thorough due diligence on your potential HPC colocation partner ’ s credentials and facilities is essential . �
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