A Chinese supercomputer has been ranked as the world’s second-fastest machine, surpassing European and Japanese systems and underscoring China’s aggressive commitment to science and technology.
The Dawning Nebulae, based at the National Supercomputing Center in Shenzhen, China, has achieved a sustained computing speed of 1.27 petaflops — the equivalent of one thousand trillion mathematical operations a second — in the latest semiannual ranking of the world’s fastest 500 computers.
The newest ranking was made public on Monday at the International Supercomputer Conference in Hamburg, Germany. Supercomputers are used for scientific and engineering problems as diverse as climate simulation and automotive design.
The Chinese machine is actually now ranked as the world’s fastest in terms of theoretical peak performance, but that is considered a less significant measure than the actual computing speed achieved on a standardized computing test.
超級電腦曙光「星雲」
中國第一部實測性能超千萬億次的超級電腦曙光「星雲」目前正在深圳超算中心安裝，將於今年7月份正式運行。
曙光「星雲」由坐落在天津濱海高新技術產業開發區內的曙光公司天津產業基地研製生產，2010年6月1日正式對外發表，是中國第一部、世界第三台實測雙精度浮點計算超過千萬億次的超級電腦。在2010年11月17日發布的第36屆全球超級電腦500強排名中，名列第三位。
曙光公司總裁歷軍表示，「星雲」是面向未來「雲計算」環境設計的超級電腦系統，強調系統的均衡設計和資源動態調度能力，將成為中國新一代超級雲計算中心建設的主力機種。
據曙光公司介紹，按照原計劃，「星雲」應該在2010年11月中旬交付深圳超算中心投入商業應用，但由於深圳的機房工程原因，再加上氣候因素影響，「星雲」交付時間一再被推遲。經過與深圳方面溝通，「星雲」暫時在天津「異地」為深圳超算中心工作。由於目前安裝條件已具備，今年5月，「星雲」運抵深圳超算中心，並開始安裝和調試。
國家超級計算深圳中心是國家在深圳佈局建設的第一個，也是深圳建市以來單個投資額最大的重大科技基礎項目。
歷軍表示，「星雲」在深圳超算中心運行後，將為深圳提高信息產業綜合實力、政府服務職能信息化水準，增強城市持續創新能力和核心競爭力提供強大的技術支撐。同時，對於推動深圳產業轉型、將深圳打造成為中國乃至亞太地區雲計算發展的領先城市也同樣有著深遠影響。
據了解，借助於「星雲」的國家超級計算深圳中心將立足深圳，服務華南，面向港、澳、台及東南亞，將建成四大平台：一是科技服務平台，為氣象、金融等行業提供公共信息服務；二是產業創新平台，為企業提供高性能計算和數據處理解決方案；三是科技研發平台，為高性能計算應用軟件研發提供支撐；四是人才聚集平台，支持華南地區進行人才培養、技術交流與國際合作等活動。
Friday 10 June 2011
Tuesday 15 March 2011
Renovation of Homepage (www.hkceedu.org)
We are pleased to inform that the renovation of our Homepage (http://www.hkceedu.org/) was finished. This will link up with our parent website (http://www.tdpedu.org/) of TD Professional Education Group Limited.
Tuesday 8 March 2011
Monday 7 February 2011
IPv4 addresses have been used up
The current crop of Internet addresses could start to disappear this week if a regional Internet registry makes one more request for two blocks of addresses.
APNIC (Asia Pacific Network Information Centre) is eligible to request two large blocks of IPv4 (Internet Protocol, Version 4) addresses, because users have been snapping up its existing stock quickly enough, according to Leo Vegoda, manager of number resources at the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority. Because there are only seven of these large blocks left, that allocation to APNIC would activate a policy for the IANA to hand out the last five blocks to the five regional registries, Vegoda said.
Experts have been warning ISPs (Internet service providers) and enterprises for years that IPv4 addresses are destined to run out soon. Various technical fixes have staved off that day, but the assignment of those final blocks would leave the ultimate supply of those addresses tapped out. This would mark a milestone on the path to an Internet based totally on the latest protocol, IPv6.
IPv6 has a much larger address space, which allows for an almost limitless number of unique addresses. The IANA allocates IPv6 addresses in a similar way to IPv4, except in much larger "/12" blocks, Vegoda said.
The expanded address space is expected to be most critical to users in quickly developing countries such as China and India, as well as for the many new mobile devices being used for Internet access. The transition to IPv6 will be gradual, but even an enterprise that has enough IPv4 addresses should start supporting IPv6 in order to reach the new end points that won't be able to get IPv4 addresses, Vegoda said. Otherwise, they eventually will need to go through devices on ISP networks that translate between the two protocols. Those could introduce delays, and possibly communication problems if they were incompatible with certain protocols, he said.
Google, Facebook, Cisco Systems, Verizon Business and other major vendors and service providers will take part in World IPv6 Day in June, a global test of the new protocol organized by the Internet Society. For 24 hours, the participating companies will run their public websites on both IPv4 and IPv6.
由「IPv4」向「IPv6」轉型是個巨大工程，除了所有終端用戶，都必須更換終端設備接入網際網路的路由器或調製解調器之外，所有網站和網際網路服務商，也都必須全面改造，提供適用於「IPv6」協議的終端設備入網「接口」。很多網站和網際網路服務商認為，這種改造太費「周折」，因而一直堅持使用基於「IPv4」協議的網絡接入標準。
APNIC (Asia Pacific Network Information Centre) is eligible to request two large blocks of IPv4 (Internet Protocol, Version 4) addresses, because users have been snapping up its existing stock quickly enough, according to Leo Vegoda, manager of number resources at the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority. Because there are only seven of these large blocks left, that allocation to APNIC would activate a policy for the IANA to hand out the last five blocks to the five regional registries, Vegoda said.
Experts have been warning ISPs (Internet service providers) and enterprises for years that IPv4 addresses are destined to run out soon. Various technical fixes have staved off that day, but the assignment of those final blocks would leave the ultimate supply of those addresses tapped out. This would mark a milestone on the path to an Internet based totally on the latest protocol, IPv6.
IPv6 has a much larger address space, which allows for an almost limitless number of unique addresses. The IANA allocates IPv6 addresses in a similar way to IPv4, except in much larger "/12" blocks, Vegoda said.
The expanded address space is expected to be most critical to users in quickly developing countries such as China and India, as well as for the many new mobile devices being used for Internet access. The transition to IPv6 will be gradual, but even an enterprise that has enough IPv4 addresses should start supporting IPv6 in order to reach the new end points that won't be able to get IPv4 addresses, Vegoda said. Otherwise, they eventually will need to go through devices on ISP networks that translate between the two protocols. Those could introduce delays, and possibly communication problems if they were incompatible with certain protocols, he said.
Google, Facebook, Cisco Systems, Verizon Business and other major vendors and service providers will take part in World IPv6 Day in June, a global test of the new protocol organized by the Internet Society. For 24 hours, the participating companies will run their public websites on both IPv4 and IPv6.
由「IPv4」向「IPv6」轉型是個巨大工程，除了所有終端用戶，都必須更換終端設備接入網際網路的路由器或調製解調器之外，所有網站和網際網路服務商，也都必須全面改造，提供適用於「IPv6」協議的終端設備入網「接口」。很多網站和網際網路服務商認為，這種改造太費「周折」，因而一直堅持使用基於「IPv4」協議的網絡接入標準。
Friday 31 December 2010
2011 Enterprise Trends of ICT
Independent technology analyst Ovum, has named its top ten trends for the coming year, which also include mobility, data management and data centre transformation.
Business analytics, collaboration, IT financial management and context-aware computing also make the list and author Mark Blowers believes the trends provide both opportunities and challenges.
“These are the key trends that will define the IT landscape for CIOs in 2011. If CIOs do not have a strategy for how they intend to take advantage of the opportunities they provide, and deal with the challenges they bring, then they should form one as an urgent priority.”
Security
Security continues to be high on the IT agenda as the number of threats to businesses increases rapidly. “New technologies such as mobility, social media and cloud computing present new opportunities, but also vulnerabilities,” believes Blowers. “No amount of investment in technology alone can prevent attacks from criminal gangs and cyber espionage. In 2011, CIOs should adopt an approach that brings together technology, policy and people. The wider picture for corporate protection must also include risk, compliance and regulatory issues.”
Data management
Data management will be a key area due to the sheer volumes now passing through enterprises. “The management of data will come to a head for CIOs in 2011, who will realise that it is an issue that can no longer be ignored,” predicts Blowers. “The issue of hardware capacity and the drain on resources will see data management make it on to the investment agenda for IT departments in 2011. We believe they need to address both master data management and storage management to deal with the issue effectively.”
Business analytics
“Business analytics will remain an important tool for organisations that want to differentiate themselves from the competition in 2011,” says Blowers. “The technologies’ ability to improve decision-making, identify new business opportunities, maximise cost savings and detect inefficiencies is driving its importance for organisations.”
Mobility
In IT management, the mobility challenge in 2011 will be to embrace the new technology while developing a strategy that maintains a balance between user preference and productivity and corporate security and compliance. “As well as challenges, there is a big opportunity for enterprises to revolutionise business processes and customer interaction using new mobile apps,” says Blowers.
Data centre transformation
The role of the data centre is witnessing a dramatic shift as the cloud computing era heralds a new dawn in the delivery of IT services in 2011. “The impact of this shift will be to transform current organisational thinking about the value of building and operating large complex data centres,” predicts Blowers.
Cloud services
Cloud computing will continue to grow steadily in 2011. Ovum believes that it is no longer a question of whether or not enterprises will use cloud computing, they already are. However, it is still early days for both providers and CIOs, who will grapple to take advantage in 2011.
Collaboration
To cater for changes in work practices, an integrated approach to collaboration is needed which includes social networking and video conferencing. “In 2011, enterprises will move from a traditional hierarchy based on command and control, to looser structures using collaboration and teamwork,” says Blowers.
Sustainability
New opportunities will continue to emerge in 2011 which allow organisations to work in a more environmentally-friendly way. “IT management with the use of new technologies will take more of a leading role in helping the organisation to meet sustainability expectations and save money,” says Blowers.
IT financial management
The CIO should talk the language of business and put in place better IT financial management in 2011. “Changes are needed to improve the IT department’s relevance to an organisation and prove the value of investment to the business. Better financial management can help with this.”
Context-aware computing
In 2011, CIOs should be looking to instrumentation, metering and wireless technologies to play a significant role in providing the context which can lead to automated business processes and increased productivity. “It is also important to fully understand the impact increased contextual data will have on the IT environment and applications, as well as back-end infrastructure.”
Business analytics, collaboration, IT financial management and context-aware computing also make the list and author Mark Blowers believes the trends provide both opportunities and challenges.
“These are the key trends that will define the IT landscape for CIOs in 2011. If CIOs do not have a strategy for how they intend to take advantage of the opportunities they provide, and deal with the challenges they bring, then they should form one as an urgent priority.”
Security
Security continues to be high on the IT agenda as the number of threats to businesses increases rapidly. “New technologies such as mobility, social media and cloud computing present new opportunities, but also vulnerabilities,” believes Blowers. “No amount of investment in technology alone can prevent attacks from criminal gangs and cyber espionage. In 2011, CIOs should adopt an approach that brings together technology, policy and people. The wider picture for corporate protection must also include risk, compliance and regulatory issues.”
Data management
Data management will be a key area due to the sheer volumes now passing through enterprises. “The management of data will come to a head for CIOs in 2011, who will realise that it is an issue that can no longer be ignored,” predicts Blowers. “The issue of hardware capacity and the drain on resources will see data management make it on to the investment agenda for IT departments in 2011. We believe they need to address both master data management and storage management to deal with the issue effectively.”
Business analytics
“Business analytics will remain an important tool for organisations that want to differentiate themselves from the competition in 2011,” says Blowers. “The technologies’ ability to improve decision-making, identify new business opportunities, maximise cost savings and detect inefficiencies is driving its importance for organisations.”
Mobility
In IT management, the mobility challenge in 2011 will be to embrace the new technology while developing a strategy that maintains a balance between user preference and productivity and corporate security and compliance. “As well as challenges, there is a big opportunity for enterprises to revolutionise business processes and customer interaction using new mobile apps,” says Blowers.
Data centre transformation
The role of the data centre is witnessing a dramatic shift as the cloud computing era heralds a new dawn in the delivery of IT services in 2011. “The impact of this shift will be to transform current organisational thinking about the value of building and operating large complex data centres,” predicts Blowers.
Cloud services
Cloud computing will continue to grow steadily in 2011. Ovum believes that it is no longer a question of whether or not enterprises will use cloud computing, they already are. However, it is still early days for both providers and CIOs, who will grapple to take advantage in 2011.
Collaboration
To cater for changes in work practices, an integrated approach to collaboration is needed which includes social networking and video conferencing. “In 2011, enterprises will move from a traditional hierarchy based on command and control, to looser structures using collaboration and teamwork,” says Blowers.
Sustainability
New opportunities will continue to emerge in 2011 which allow organisations to work in a more environmentally-friendly way. “IT management with the use of new technologies will take more of a leading role in helping the organisation to meet sustainability expectations and save money,” says Blowers.
IT financial management
The CIO should talk the language of business and put in place better IT financial management in 2011. “Changes are needed to improve the IT department’s relevance to an organisation and prove the value of investment to the business. Better financial management can help with this.”
Context-aware computing
In 2011, CIOs should be looking to instrumentation, metering and wireless technologies to play a significant role in providing the context which can lead to automated business processes and increased productivity. “It is also important to fully understand the impact increased contextual data will have on the IT environment and applications, as well as back-end infrastructure.”
Thursday 30 December 2010
New Beginning of Year 2011
Dear Data Center Professionals,
The year of 2010 is nearly come to an end. We sincerely thank you for your continuous support and interest in our data centre training programmes.
In the forthcoming year, we will launch another new data centre course, CDCMP - Certified Data Centre Management Professional. It will be divided into section A (3-day) and section B (four 1-day) and organize with CNet Training in UK and Pacific Strategics Group in Singapore. The whole course will be launched in mid-2011. You may find more information from the course leaflet attached.
Other trainings in data center will be available in the following dates:
Seminar on Data Centre Operation Maintenance (1-day)
22 January 2011 (Saturday)
10:00 - 17:30
Eaton Hotel Hong Kong (lunch buffet included)
CDCDP, Section A (3-day Course, Certified Data Centre Design)
17 - 19 March 2011 (Thursday - Saturday)
10:00 - 17:30
CDCDP, Section B (Four 1-day Courses)
Data Centre Power - 23 February 2011 (Wednesday)
Data Centre Cooling - 24 February 2011 (Thursday)
Data Centre Efficiency - 25 February 2011 (Friday)
Data Centre Management - 26 February 2011 (Saturday)
10:00 - 17:30
May Love, Hope and Peace come to you in 2011.
Happy New Year
Sunday 14 November 2010
Supercomputer to go sugar cube-sized in few years
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LONDON: IBM scientists have said that a pioneering research effort could shrink the world's most powerful supercomputer processors to the size of a sugar cube.
The approach will see many computer processors stacked on top of one another, cooling them with water flowing between each one. The plan is to reduce computers' energy use, rather than just to shrink them.
Dr Bruno Michel said future computer costs would hinge on green credentials rather than speed.
Michel and his colleagues have already built a prototype to demonstrate the water-cooling principle. Called Aquasar, it occupies a rack larger than a refrigerator.
IBM estimates that Aquasar is almost 50 pc more energy-efficient than the world's leading supercomputers.
"In the past, computers were dominated by hardware costs - 50 years ago you could hold one transistor and it cost a dollar, or a franc," the BBC quoted Michel as saying at IBM's Zurich labs.
Now when the sums are done, he said, the cost of a transistor works out to 1/100th of the price of printing a single letter on a page. The overwhelming cause of those energy costs is in cooling, because computing power generates heat as a side product.
The Aquasar prototype clocked up nearly half again as much, at 1.1 billion operations. Now the task is to shrink it.
"We currently have built this Aquasar system that's one rack full of processors. We plan that 10 to 15 years from now, we can collapse such a system in to one sugar cube - we're going to have a supercomputer in a sugar cube."
The approach will see many computer processors stacked on top of one another, cooling them with water flowing between each one. The plan is to reduce computers' energy use, rather than just to shrink them.
Dr Bruno Michel said future computer costs would hinge on green credentials rather than speed.
Michel and his colleagues have already built a prototype to demonstrate the water-cooling principle. Called Aquasar, it occupies a rack larger than a refrigerator.
IBM estimates that Aquasar is almost 50 pc more energy-efficient than the world's leading supercomputers.
"In the past, computers were dominated by hardware costs - 50 years ago you could hold one transistor and it cost a dollar, or a franc," the BBC quoted Michel as saying at IBM's Zurich labs.
Now when the sums are done, he said, the cost of a transistor works out to 1/100th of the price of printing a single letter on a page. The overwhelming cause of those energy costs is in cooling, because computing power generates heat as a side product.
The Aquasar prototype clocked up nearly half again as much, at 1.1 billion operations. Now the task is to shrink it.
"We currently have built this Aquasar system that's one rack full of processors. We plan that 10 to 15 years from now, we can collapse such a system in to one sugar cube - we're going to have a supercomputer in a sugar cube."
Mark Stromberg, principal research analyst at Gartner, said that the approach was a promising one.
But he said that tackling the finer details of cooling - to remove heat from just the right parts of the chip stacks - would take significant effort.
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