Distributed Global Climate Model via Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS)
Objective: Explore methodologies and performance issues for decomposing a coupled atmosphere-ocean global climate model (GCM) to run concurrently on the CRAY C98 at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and the CRAY Y-MP-232/T3D at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) interconnected via ACTS.
Approach: Dr. Roberto Mechoso (UCLA) and Drs. Max Suarez and Paul Schopf (GSFC) will define coupled but distributed GCM's (DGCM's) from among the main modules: UCLA atmospheric GCM (AGCM), NOAA/GFDL oceanic GCM (OGCM), NASA/GSFC Aries AGCM, and NASA/GSFC Poseidon OGCM. The communications interface from the Crays to the ACTS High Data Rate Terminal (HDRT) is to consist of a Cray high-speed channel attached to a special HIPPI/ATM adapter, which is interfaced to an ATM switch that connects to either a 155 Mbps or a 622 Mbps SONET port on the HDRT.
Accomplishments: Initiated tasks to define and test distributed but coupled GCM's suitable for this experiment. Acquired and installed successfully a HIPPI switch to minimize Cray HIPPI channel costs. Acquired and initiated tests of an interim 155 Mbps Cray Broadband Gateway (BBG) ATM-enabling unit interoperating through an ATM switch with a local Sun SPARC 20. Initiated plans with GSFC's Facility Management Division to prepare site for deployment of an HDRT.
Significance: Uses ACTS to form a meta-supercomputer that will accelerate the speed of GCM's.
Status/Plans:
- FY96: Complete infrastructure deployments, interface tests, and initiate DGCM benchmark runs.
- FY97: Possibly extend DGCM tests, possibly including the Maui High Performance Computing Center as a third site.
Point of Contact:
Pat Gary
Goddard Space Flight Center
pat.gary@gsfc.nasa.gov
301-286-9539
Table of Contents | Section Contents-- National Research and Education Network
Approach: Dr. Roberto Mechoso (UCLA) and Drs. Max Suarez and Paul Schopf (GSFC) will define coupled but distributed GCM's (DGCM's) from among the main modules: UCLA atmospheric GCM (AGCM), NOAA/GFDL oceanic GCM (OGCM), NASA/GSFC Aries AGCM, and NASA/GSFC Poseidon OGCM. The communications interface from the Crays to the ACTS High Data Rate Terminal (HDRT) is to consist of a Cray high-speed channel attached to a special HIPPI/ATM adapter, which is interfaced to an ATM switch that connects to either a 155 Mbps or a 622 Mbps SONET port on the HDRT.