Los Alamos National Laboratory Purchases PSSC Labs' Powerwulf Cluster for Monte Carlo Particle Transport Calculations

New York, NY, May 03, 2011 --(PR.com)-- The Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a United States Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory operated by Los Alamos National Security (LANS). LANL is considered one of the world's largest science and technology institutions, conducting multidisciplinary research for fields ranging from national security, outer space, renewable energy, medicine, nanotechnology and supercomputing.

LANL's Nuclear Physics Department need a computing solution to run their Monte Carlo particle transport calculations. Monte Carlo particle transport is usually introduced primarily as a method to solve linear integral equations such as the Boltzmann transport equation. This focus on solving integral transport equations gives rise to a number of common misconceptions about MCNP transport methods among many MCNP users. A transport process approach that is often useful in understanding the variance reduction in MCNP focuses directly on the Monte Carlo sampling process itself. Due to security and export-control issues LANL did not consider a "cloud" based solution, instead they required an in-house supercomputing resource.

Working with PSSC Labs, LANL was able to custom design a powerful, dedicated computing solution. PSSC Labs PowerWulf Clusters offer flexibility, performance and power management features that are not found from other manufacturers. In addition, PSSC Labs understands LANL's limited budget constraints. This specific PowerWulf Cluster included the latest multi-core processor technology and high speed Infiniband network interconnects. When combined with PSSC Labs CBeST Cluster Management Toolkit, LANL received the most turnkey supercomputing solution possible.

The PowerWulf Clusters offer a reliable, high performance supercomputing solution allowing LANL Nuclear Physics Department to focus on their work and not managing computer systems. Due to security constraints and overtaxed laboratory computing resources, the decision to bring an in-house computing system has been a great benefit. LANL Research Scientists have been pleased with overall system and in particular are happy with PSSC Labs support and responsiveness.

###