High-Performance Computing
Overview
High-performance computing (HPC) is a field of study that focuses on the aggregation of computing power to solve complex problems in science, engineering, or business more quickly than would be possible with a single computer. HPC is typically used for solving advanced problems and performing research activities through computer modeling, simulation, and analysis. HPC systems have the ability to deliver sustained performance through the concurrent use of computing resources.
History
The history of HPC goes back to the 1960s when the first supercomputers were introduced. The term "supercomputing" was first used by New York World's Fair in 1936 and was later applied to the fastest computers of their time. The early supercomputers were scalar processors, which processed one pair of instructions at a time. In the 1970s, vector processors, which could process many pairs of instructions within one clock cycle, were introduced. In the 1990s, massively parallel processing (MPP) systems were introduced, which used many processors to perform coordinated computations.
Architecture
HPC systems have a unique architecture that allows them to perform complex calculations at high speeds. This architecture typically includes several processors, a high-speed network, and a large amount of memory. The processors in an HPC system are usually organized into a grid or a cluster, allowing them to work together to solve a problem. The high-speed network, often called an interconnect, allows data to be quickly transferred between processors. The memory in an HPC system is typically shared among the processors, allowing them to work on different parts of a problem simultaneously.
Software
The software used in HPC systems is designed to take advantage of the unique architecture of these systems. This software includes operating systems, compilers, and libraries that are optimized for high-performance computing. The operating systems used in HPC systems are typically variants of UNIX or Linux, as these operating systems provide the low-level control over hardware that is necessary for high-performance computing. Compilers are used to translate the high-level code written by programmers into the low-level code that can be executed by the processors in an HPC system. Libraries provide pre-written code that can be used to perform common tasks, such as matrix multiplication or sorting.
Applications
HPC has a wide range of applications in various fields. In science, it is used for simulations in quantum mechanics, protein folding, and other areas where complex calculations are required. In engineering, it is used for computer-aided engineering (CAE) and computer-aided design (CAD). In business, it is used for data mining, online transaction processing, and financial modeling.
Future Trends
The future of HPC is likely to be shaped by several trends. One of these is the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in HPC systems. Another is the development of exascale computing, which aims to build computers that can perform a billion billion calculations per second. There is also a growing interest in quantum computing, which could potentially provide a significant increase in computational power.