On Wednesday, RWTH Aachen University marked a significant milestone in scientific research and computational engineering with the official inauguration of the new CLAIX-2023 high-performance computer. The event, held at the university’s IT Center, was hosted by Matthias Müller, Director of the IT Center, and many guests from the fields of politics, science and society attended. Among them was Ina Brandes, Minister for Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, who launched the state-of-the-art system.
Strengthening High-Performance Computing for the Future
As HPC becomes crucial for tackling some of the world’s most pressing scientific and engineering challenges, the demand for advanced computational resources has grown rapidly. High-performance computers like CLAIX-2023 are now essential for the development of artificial intelligence (AI) applications and computer-aided simulations, recognized as the third pillar of science, alongside theory and experimentation.
“This is an important and proud day for research in Germany,” remarked Ina Brandes, at the inauguration ceremony. “Among a nation’s most valuable assets are its people and its cutting-edge technology, and the CLAIX-2023 high-performance computer is an example of the latter. We are thrilled to see it now accessible to so many,” the Minister added. IT Center Director Matthias Müller emphasized the uniqueness of the computer: “Each supercomputer is a one-of-a-kind system, constructed from singular, custom-built systems.”
Cutting-Edge Sustainability and Performance
CLAIX-2023 not only stands out for its computational power but also for its commitment to sustainability. The system employs energy-efficient water-cooling technology, avoiding the high energy demands of traditional air conditioning. Researchers at RWTH Aachen University and partner institutions across Germany can now access this leading technology to drive forward their projects.
In its pilot phase, researchers have already begun utilizing CLAIX-2023, ensuring its smooth operation and testing its capabilities. “This computer is a flagship for Aachen as a hub of scientific research,” says Dr. Stefan Stupp, Head of the Science department at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
Powered by NHR4CES
A significant portion of CLAIX-2023 is supported by the National High-Performance Computing Center for Computational Engineering Science (NHR4CES), an initiative designed to enhance computational resources for engineering and applied natural sciences. The center plays am important role in supporting the needs of both academic and industrial research, especially in computational engineering.
A Vision for the Future
While CLAIX-2023 is now operational, the future of supercomputing at RWTH is already being planned. The next system, CLAIX-2025, will further push the boundaries of computational science, reflecting the growing need for more powerful machines to handle increasingly complex research projects.
“Research projects today are increasingly complex. We have always relied on experimentation in research, but now, with simulation playing a critical role, high-performance computing infrastructures have become indispensable,” noted Professor Sandra Korte-Kerzel, Vice-Rector for Research at RWTH.
Technical Overview
CLAIX-2023 is equipped with powerful Intel Xeon 8468 Sapphire Rapids CPUs, featuring 96 cores per compute node, and includes 52 specialized servers for AI and ML applications, each outfitted with four NVIDIA H100 GPUs. This configuration enables the system to deliver over 14 PFLOPS of performance in the ML segment. The system’s 632 directly water-cooled nodes for HPC provide a significant boost in overall capacity, supporting a wide range of applications while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability and energy efficiency. The exterior of the supercomputer was artistically designed by 3D artist Artur Krutov, blending technology and art.
Picture Source: IT Center
