What is High Performance Computing (HPC)?
High Performance Computing (HPC) is used across a range of applications that require processing of complex tasks at very high speeds. This includes data centres, on site clusters at universities or research labs, supercomputers and other specialised facilities. HPC systems typically consist of groups of high performance servers with specialised hardware to handle massive workloads and complex problems through simultaneous processing techniques.
A high performance computing cluster is a network of interconnected servers that work together as one system. These clusters typically include hundreds or thousands of servers connected through high bandwidth networking technologies, working in parallel to achieve extremely high processing speeds.
Where previous technology using single processors would complete tasks one at a time, HPC systems, as well as many modern computing systems, use parallel processing to complete many tasks simultaneously. Modern HPC data centres utilise Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) alongside Central Processing Units (CPUs) to further processing speeds which is especially useful in AI and machine learning tasks.
HPC systems generate a lot of heat due to the intensive processing demand which requires advanced cooling systems. While air cooling is still common, liquid cooling methods are becoming the preferred choice for high density HPC environments due to their performance and efficiency advantages. The main types of liquid cooling systems are direct-to-chip (or cold plate), immersion cooling and rear door heat exchangers (RDHx). Some data centres are built in colder climates to reduce the need for artificial cooling systems.
Benefits
Performance - Utilising HPC in data centres significantly reduces the time required for complex tasks, performing around a quadrillion calculations per second. This far surpasses the 3 billion calculations of an average computer and is essential for AI and data analytics applications.
Scalability - HPC clusters can easily be scaled to meet increasing demands by adding more nodes, enabling data centres to expand without sacrificing performance. Cloud based HPC solutions further enhance scalability and flexibility, allowing remote access and eliminating the need for cluster nodes to be physically close to each other.
Cost & Resource Efficiency – Although expensive to implement, the computational speed of HPC solutions offer long term cost benefits by reducing both computing and labour resource requirements. Additionally, advanced cooling and power saving technologies help to keep HPC data centres running efficiently, lowering operational expenses.
Industry Applications
Scientific Research & Simulations
- Running large scale simulations and analysis of datasets
- Climate modelling, astrophysics & space exploration, genome sequencing, drug discovery
AI & Machine Learning
- Essential in AI and deep learning applications as they require huge computational power
- AI is becoming increasingly used in a wide range of industries and applications
- Training deep learning models, natural language processing (NLP), autonomous vehicles, robotics, healthcare imaging
Financial Services
- Banks, investment firms, and insurance companies use HPC for complex financial modelling and real-time decision making
- Real-time fraud detection, high frequency trading, risk analysis, cryptocurrency
Engineering & Manufacturing
- Planning, designing, testing and manufacturing complex engineering systems in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and materials science
- Materials testing, efficiency optimisation, simulations, predictive testing
Big Data & Analytics
- Used to process huge data sets for market trends and customer insights, often used for personalised recommendations
- Real-time data processing for business intelligence, government, cybersecurity threat detection
Government & Public Sector
- Improving and standardising emergency response and dispatch times
- Optimising emergency response, cybersecurity, predictive analysis for policy making and public service improvements
Healthcare
- Enables faster diagnoses, drug discovery and development, and medical imaging through data processing and simulation of biological processes
- Predicting, modelling and tracking disease outbreaks and trends to support public health responses and aid in vaccine development
- Significantly cuts drug development time and cost by up to 50%
Considerations for Implementing HPC Solutions
While HPC data centres are extremely beneficial in many applications, they take a lot of time and resources to implement. It is worth carefully considering whether HPC systems are a worthwhile investment for your needs. Some key points to consider include:
- Complexity of computing tasks
- Budget/financial resources
- Training resources
- Size of data centre facilities
High performance computing solutions provide the computing power, networking, and storage infrastructure needed to tackle complex, large-scale computations efficiently. With advancements in AI, cloud computing, and energy-efficient designs, HPC continues to be a foundation of innovation across various industries.
ATGBICS Solutions
High performance computing infrastructure requires high speed equipment to maximise performance. ATGBICS offers a range of HPC solutions including 100G, 200G, 400G and 800G Network Transceivers, Direct Attach Cables (DACs), and Active Optical Cables (AOCs) to ensure that you stay ahead of the curve for HPC applications.
Our high performance transceivers, DACs, and AOCs are designed to handle huge amounts of data, providing reliable, fast and efficient connectivity between compute nodes. We offer both InfiniBand and high speed Ethernet technologies, along with industrial grade solutions capable of performing in extreme conditions ranging from -40°C to 100°C, ensuring our products are suited to any infrastructure or application.
Also look out for our Immersion Liquid Cooling Solutions coming in Q2 2025!
