Interdependencies Among Components

A complex web of interdependencies exists among the five components of the HPCC Program; success in each component is critical to the success of the others. Because of these interdependencies, maintaining balance among the components is crucial for Program success. The current balance is designed to foster that success as rapidly as possible. Some examples of the large number of interdependencies are given below.

Examples of two-component interdependencies:

HPCS and NREN

-- The development of routers for the NREN component and other advanced component technologies depend on HPCS research in scalable computing and component technologies.

HPCS and ASTA

-- The advanced computing systems with associated systems software are used by ASTA for Grand Challenge research.

HPCS and IITA

-- HPCS systems are used by IITA for National Challenge research.

NREN and ASTA

-- ASTA's Grand Challenge research helps to determine requirements for high performance networks for which NREN must provide new capabilities and technologies. Examples are distributed heterogeneous computing, scientific visualization, and the NSF metacenter research efforts.

NREN and IITA

-- NREN provides the networking technology base for IITA. An example is interactive video.

One example of a three-component interdependency:

HPCS, NREN, ASTA

-- Networks developed under the NREN component are used to access testbeds developed under the HPCS component in ASTA Grand Challenge research.

An example of a four-component interdependency:

HPCS, NREN, ASTA, IITA

-- Some computationally intensive IITA applications will use systems developed under the HPCS component, connected by NREN-developed networks, and Grand Challenge software developed under ASTA. An example is managing emergencies such as hurricanes.

Two five-component interdependencies:

BRHR dependencies

-- BRHR depends on each of the other components, both individually and in combination, for research subjects.

BRHR provides training and education in the four other components and their interrelationships.

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