PROFILES: Case Study: High-Performance Computing

CRT High-Performance Computing (CRT HPC) project and the CRT Information Systems program.

Background

BioTeam played a critical role in the CRT High-Performance Computing (CRT HPC) project and the overall CRT Information Systems program.

The company invested in a 450,000 square foot state-of-the-art research facility which is home to more than 500 scientists, engineers, and support staff. BioTeam was engaged to develop the IT capability needed to support the life sciences computing the facility would demand.

BioTeam started with an objective analysis of the company’s current and future computing needs. Along with the identifying IT needs, BioTeam would provide vendor-neutral recommendations on ways to meet those needs. The assessment would then be used to define and launch discrete projects to deliver against those needs.

The methodology employed for the assessment was interviews with the company’s Scientific Researchers, IT Architects, and selected Senior Management. The assessment formed the mandate from which two projects were launched. One of them was the CRT High-Performance Computing (CRT HPC) project.

BioTeam’s role on the CRT HPC project was to be the high-performance computing subject matter expert. In practice, this meant BioTeam was contracted in two discrete engagements: Solution Design and Solution Implementation.

Solution Design

 The following steps were taken in the Solution Design effort:

• Investigate and document the functional requirements associated with the use of a Compute Cluster and Storage System
• Develop technical requirements of a Compute Cluster and Storage System to meet the documented functional requirements
• Develop and maintain a project plan reflecting all work products
• Develop the technical content for Request for Proposal (RFP) documents reflecting the required functional capabilities
• Provide a technical comparison of each response to the RFPs
• Design and document the "to be" physical environment of the compute cluster and storage subsystems. These detailed architectural diagrams included:
  • A detailed network diagram indicating each required connection between computers, storage devices, research instrumentation, and imaging systems
  • An electrical diagram and load calculation supporting any recommended solution
  • A computer rack design showing computer placement, storage placement, electrical and network cable management

Solution Implementation

Upon completion of the Design Phase, BioTeam delivered the following:

• Coordinate and manage the installation of the High-Performance Computing systems in the research facility
• Configure and bring online the HPC systems including installation and configuration of:
• Servers
• Operating Systems
• Utilities
• Distributed Resource Management (DRM) application
• Other software required for the HPC system to be ready and able to accept the loading of end-user applications
• Coordinate the onsite activities of vendor teams involved in the delivery, installation, configuration, testing, and integration of HPC systems
• Develop and execute approved tests of the HPC systems to confirm their capability to function in a manner as envisioned by the Technical Design specification and the Functional Requirements document
• Provide training to the HPC support staff in areas including:
• Hardware support
• Software and utilities support
• DRM administration, configuration, and troubleshooting, and usage
• Transition of the functioning HPC system to the trained company resources

Customer Feedback

"The initial IT assessment, CRT HPC design and implementation were executed with professionalism and skill by BioTeam. Target dates were hit, the quality of deliverables was excellent, and overall performance was top shelf. They provided excellent leadership and mentoring in the area of IT. I am completely comfortable recommending them to others and certainly will be looking to them for future engagements."

Senior Project Manager, Information Services

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