The computing capability and expertise at PML enables scientists to process vast amounts of data to tackle some of the largest challenges in marine science. The facility is pivotal in supporting the cutting-edge science produced by both the Earth Observation and Modelling groups at PML.
PML has extensive computing facilities, all contained within a dedicated modern computer room. This includes a high throughput computing (HTC) system consisting of 6 redundant master nodes and approximately 140 multi-core compute nodes (giving a total of 720 cores and 2.1TB of RAM) interconnected with fast networking (Gigabit Ethernet) and linked to approximately 3.5 PB of networked storage.
In addition, PML has a high performance computing (HPC) cluster. This HPC is comprised of 36 nodes (each more powerful than 4 top-of-the-range desktop computers) connected over a super-fast InfiniBand network with 45 TB of fast-access disk space. Two of the nodes serve as high-memory nodes with 256GB of RAM each. The entire HPC system has 720 cores with 4.8 TB of total RAM which yields 24 teraflops of performance.
This state-of-the-art technology is backed by security controlled access, humidity/temperature controls and a fire suppression system to protect crucial data. Storage, networking and key servers are protected by redundant power supplies and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, and all core computing facilities are automatically monitored. PML also operates data services for distributing large volumes of earth observation and modelling data using redundant virtualised web servers, with advanced web visualisation and collaboration tools fostered in an open-source development process.