The WorldWinds Beowulf cluster has sixteen (16) rack-mounted dual-processor servers running a standard Linux distribution for a total of sixty-four (64) virtual processors.  Each the 32 dual-core Dell 64-bit Xeon processors feature the Intel 7520 chipset, 3.0GHz processor speed, 2GB DIMM and a 36GB hard drive.

In order to be flexible enough to incorporate new models as they become available, WorldWinds' cluster is configured with several different parallel processing environments.  The operating system and libraries run the COAMPS and MM5 weather models and the ADCIRC storm surge and flood model; they are also able to run any distributed application based on either the LAM or MPICH implementation of the Message Passing Interface.  The system is designed to be highly scaleable in order to boost performance and capacity.  Additionally, the WorldWinds cluster uses a parallel compiler from the Portland Group for increased performance on each node of the cluster.

All nodes and supporting equipment, including battery back-ups, are mounted in a PowerEdge 4210 rack with spare capacity.  WorldWinds has also purchased a 3-year on-site, same day replacement contract for parts and labor, should any of the equipment require maintenance.

Our site services are completely redundant. The Department of Defense installed feeds from multiple power sources, a full-building uninterruptible power supply, and a generator capable of sustaining operations. Adding this to an entirely redundant cooling system results in an optimum environment for operational modeling with a nearly zero chance of down time. Our Slidell, LA site did continue to operate fully during and after Hurricane Katrina even though the area suffered a direct strike by a major landfalling hurricane.

Renting time on the WorldWinds Beowulf cluster to run our models, or others, is possible. Please contact us if interested.