High Performance computing – taking us to Future

High Performance Computing refers to increase in computing power in a way that delivers much higher performance than one could get out of a desktop computer, workstation or laptop  in order to solve large problems in science, engineering,  business etc.

History

In 1960s, Seymour Cray started making these High Performance Devices at University of Massachusetts. These use Creative and innovative designs to get higher and peak performance. In 1964, a super and most advanced and fastest computer was designed and launched in the whole world that was made by Cray. In 1972, Cray left the university to form his own company. In 1976, Cray1 was the most successful computer was released and then in 1985 Cray2 was released.

How these computers work?

To understand how these computers work let’s take an example of tug of war, in this the maximum performance will be delivered only if you will have more number of persons by your side, lesser will be the people by your side more difficult it will be to win the game similarly more processors and hardware are needed to reach the maximum performance required.

Important Software required to work with an HCP

Just like a laptop or desktop every high performance computer requires Software. The main software or you can say operating systems are Linux and Windows. Although, UNIX is also used in high performance computing but its main use is for super computers. The software you will use will depend on the choice of application you need to work on.

Performance

As the performance is to be increased, the more number of hardware is required hence increasing the cost of the whole device therefore these devices are costly. These follow the concept of parallel processing where a number of processors or other processing devices are connected in parallel to each other which reduces the time of processing hence work will be done In less time. The algorithms used by these devices are highly complex which cannot be solved with our daily used laptops or desktops hence these devices are difficult and uneasy to use but faster in processing and solving the work given.

Application of high performance computing

The can be used in various field in which higher order of algebra and science problems are to be solved. Some of its applications are as follow,

1.    Molecular Dynamics Simulation.

2.    Brute force code breaking.

3.    Weather forecasting, aerodynamic research.

4.    Probabilistic analysis, radiation shielding modeling.

5.    3D nuclear test simulations.

Now a day’s super computers do weather forecasting by noting minute to minute observations in the environment.

These Computers are also used in research projects and for research bases.