The first phase of the computational procurement consists of High-Speed e1350 Linux computer cluster
with 160 nodes:

• Each node is equipped with two dual-core AMD Opteron 2.6GHz processors and 16GB of random access memory
• Shared file system from the SAN accessed by the nodes over the infiniband 10 GB cluster interconnecting Clearspeed Floating Point Accelerator
• An aggregate of 640 processing power at approximately 2.5 Terraflops per second
• In addition to local hard disks, all nodes have access to a shared storage system with a capacity of 94TB using General Parallel File System (GPFS)

The cluster platform (right), is aptly named “iQudu” (isiXhosa name for Kudu. The name symbolises the agility, speed and size of the cluster). Cluster: iQudu

Along with this procurement, IBM donated two separate shared memory computers with 32 x 1.9GHz Power4+ CPUs and at least 32GB of RAM each. IBM also generously included a number of additional benefits such as CPU usage in blue genes, skill development schemes, student bursaries and mentorship. The two SMPs are named “Tshepe” (Sesotho name for ‘Springbok’) and Impala (a native Zulu word).

After the official handing over of these machines by the IBM, the above-mentioned platforms will be temporarily reserved for the Flagship Projects usage. Considering that there are more than 20 users for the Flagship Projects, these users will be treated as case studies which will assist the CHPC to isolate potential hurdles and identify suitable solutions for future stability. It is expected that machine usage policies concerning the industrial projects and non-funded research projects will be announced within the third quarter of 2007. The CHPC Research Office is in the process of gathering information to tailor the most appropriate solution to suit the South Africa context. Software requirements for this emerging stage of the CHPC will also be carefully examined and procured during the next few months.

It is envisaged that the 2nd phase procurement process will commence towards the end of October. This phase will include the expansion of the 1st phase computational platform hosted at the Rosebank campus, and the establishment another node at a remote site outside of Western Cape Province.