Supercomputer is plugged in at Leicester University

ONE of the latest generation supercomputers is to be plugged in at the University of Leicester.

The university’s IT services and researchers will have access to highperformance computing (HPC) supercomputers, using powerful Arm chips to perform their calculations.

They will be some of the biggest Arm-based computers in the world when they are installed this summer.

The Leicester facility will be one of three in the UK.

Dr Mark Wilkinson, from the Department of Physics and Astronomy, said: “Both industrial research and development and academic research increasingly rely on the ability to process enormous data sets.

“The data may come from satellites, large telescopes, sensors in jet engines, or even twitter feeds. However, data sets are only useful if they can be analysed and explored to provide answers to key science questions or inform the design of new products.

“The ability of Arm chips to move data efficiently may allow researchers to perform complex calculations in less time, potentially providing a competitive edge for both companies and academic research groups.”

Dr Chris Rudge, head of infrastructure in IT services, said: “Arm processors are widely used in devices such as mobile phones, but have features which can support high-performance computing and data analysis.”

Users from around the UK will be using the Leicester supercomputer.