Cluster computers are built modularly using standard PC technology and very fast networks. Being ideal instruments for a wide range of simulation problems they stand for a large proportion of the most powerful computers in the world. The decisive factor for such a collection of parallel working computers is the extremely fast transmission of signals across the network, the "backbone" of the computer.

The aim of the JuRoPA project is the development of general purpose clusters based on Intel processor technology, Quadrics interconnect,ParTec Cluster Software and IBM System x technology. The processing power of the JuRoPA system is constituted by Intel Xeon 5160 processors. "Intel Dual-core processors were chosen in order to create an ideal balance between compute-power, memory bandwidth and energy consumption", stated Thomas Lippert, director of the Juelich Institute for Supercomputing.

The prototype system comprises IBM x3550 compute nodes connected by Quadrics network technology. In a first phase QsTenG - Quadrics' solution based on 10-Gigabit Ethernet - and QsNet-II networks are used. Each compute-node is equipped with an Elan-adapter and NetEffect 10G-Ethernet NIC during this phase. In a second stage of the project the cluster will be upgraded to QsNet-III, the next generation Quadrics interconnect. QsNet-III provides new levels of HPC performance, for which Quadrics is renown, in a standards compliant and cost effective manner. The first QsNet-III networks will provide both low latency and scalable bandwidth for 256 to 16384 nodes.

"Our partnership with Juelich, Intel, IBM and ParTec marks a significant step in the development of commodity supercomputer systems", stated Giovanni Trezza, Chairman of Quadrics. "We expect this alliance to deliver key components for general purpose peta-scale systems in Europe."

In order to co-ordinate the interoperation of the computing-capabilities of the compute-nodes and the

communication-potential of the interconnect the cluster operating system ParaStation is employed. ParaStation is a joint development of the Munich-based company ParTec and Forschungszentrum Juelich.

All integration of various components will take place in Juelich. A crucial aspect for Forschungszentrum Juelich is a deep integration of Intel's Cluster tools in order to bring the system to production level quality. Such an environment is the basic prerequisite in order to be able to conduct a detailed analysis of the system with real

applications from the scientific users.

JuRoPA is part of Juelich's ongoing strategy to explore emerging technologies that shall pave the way towards a European Peta-scale supercomputer complex.