CERN based in Switzerland has donated the first Supercomputer to Nepal which consists of high-performance computing (HPC) servers & Kathmandu University has Introduced the supercomputer in the nation at Information Technology Park, Banepa.
A supercomputer is a type of machine that is capable of supervising a huge database or do a large amount of computation, sometimes simultaneously. It typically consists of tens of thousands of processors that are able to perform billions & trillions of calculations or computations per second.
Manoj Shakya, associate professors & lead research of the Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Kathmandu University said, “the newly introduced supercomputer has the potential to solve computing problems in two hours.”
“Before such problems used to take 10 days to solve, Nepal’s first supercomputer has 184 CPU servers, 16 disk servers & 12 network switches,” said Shakya, with a total processors count of over 2,500 & 8 Terabyte (TB) of memory.
The super-computer is currently being used for training & workshops. The university plans to operate the supercomputer round the clock within six months. According to Shakya, to run the supercomputer at full load, it will require 200 KV of power. IT Park has already installed 315 KV transformers.
The University will also form a working chamber said steering committee will include high-level members that will execute policy and work as a driving committee, he said.
The University is also in talks with the government to use the supercomputer as a backup data station. With the new supercomputer in place, weather forecasts by the Meteorological Forecasting Divisions are expected to show even more accurate results. The super-computers will also be useful for conducting research, especially for students studying at Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu University, Pokhara University & Purbanchal University.
CERN typically uses a super-computer for 2-3 years before phasing it out for a distinct one. The hardware used in the super-computer has a restricted life expectancy & needs proper preservation to run efficiently. CERN used super-computers to conduct operations regarding the big bang theory. Digitally developed countries have been donating to African & Asain Countries.
