Getting Up to Speed

Supercomputers play a significant and growing role in a variety of areas important to the nation. They are used to address challenging science and technology problems. In recent years, however, progress in supercomputing in the United States has slowed. The development of the Earth Simulator supercomputer by Japan that the United States could lose its competitive advantage and, more importantly, the national competence needed to achieve national goals. In the wake of this development, the Department of Energy asked the NRC to assess the state of U.S. supercomputing capabilities and relevant R&D. Subsequently, the Senate directed DOE in S. Rpt. 107-220 to ask the NRC to evaluate the Advanced Simulation and Computing program of the National Nuclear Security Administration at DOE in light of the development of the Earth Simulator. This report provides an assessment of the current status of supercomputing in the United States including a review of current demand and technology, infrastructure and institutions, and international activities. The report also presents a number of recommendations to enable the United States to meet current and future needs for capability supercomputers. Table of Contents Front Matter Executive Summary 1 Introduction and Context 2 Explanation of Supercomputing 3 Brief History of Supercomputing 4 The Demand for Supercomputing 5 Today's Supercomputing Technology 6 Supercomputing Infrastructures and Institutions 7 Supercomputing Abroad 8 A Policy Framework 9 Stewardship and Funding of Supercomputing 10 The Future of Supercomputing--Conclusions and Recommendations Appendix A: Committee Member and Staff Biographies Appendix B: Speakers and Participants at Meetings and Site Visits Appendix C: White Papers Prepared for the Applications Workshop Appendix D: Glossary and Acronym List