The next national CPU-based supercomputer
Sigma2 has begun the procurement of its next national supercomputer, Betzy next (B2). Betzy Next will be a CPU-focused HPC system that succeeds the current Betzy, and it will be installed at Lefdal Mine Datacenter (LMD), in the same location as the HPC cluster Olivia (A2) and the national storage infrastructure (NIRD).
About the project
This project’s objective is to acquire and implement the next-generation national CPU-based HPC resource (supercomputer) in the Sigma2 e-infrastructure portfolio. The working name for this resource is B2, publicly referred to as “Betzy Next.” B2 will be placed at Lefdal Mine Datacenter, alongside the A2 system (Olivia) and the national storage infrastructure (NIRD).
Project goals
- Replace the current HPC machine Betzy, and accommodate forecasted usage growth.
- Provide large-scale CPU-based computing capability for scientific applications.
- Procure a system with expandable computing and storage capacity.
Public procurement process
The procurement is carried out in line with the rules for public procurement.
Timeline
TBA
Background
HPC systems generally have a life span of approximately 5 years due to declining energy efficiency compared to newer machines, obsolete parts, lack of support, and the arrival of new technology.
Our procurement strategy has traditionally been two-legged — an A-leg and a B-leg — where we acquire systems with an offset of 2–3 years. B2 is the next B-leg system, succeeding Betzy, following the A-leg renewal delivered by Olivia (A2).
Data Centric Model
The Data Centric Model is Sigma2's strategic response to the convergence of HPC, cloud, and AI workloads and leads with the Sigma2’s strategic vision of user in focus.
Rather than attaching dedicated storage to each compute facility, NIRD (Norwegian Infrastructure for Research Data) becomes the shared, persistent data plane for all compute systems.