Obama wants the US to build the world's first exascale supercomputer

[midian182]

President Obama has issued an executive order authorizing the creation of a National Strategic Computer Initiative that will attempt to build the first ever exascale computer, which would be 30 times faster than today’s fastest supercomputer.

The new initiative will see collaborations between the Department of Energy, Department of Defense and the National Science Foundation, with NASA, the FBI, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Homeland Security, and NOAA providing input during the early stages of development. The primary task of the initiative is accelerating delivery of a capable exascale computing system.

“Computational problems and data centric problems are coming together in areas that range from energy, to climate modeling, to healthcare. This shift dictates the need for a balanced ecosystem for high performance computing with an undergirding infrastructure that supports both computationally-intensive and data centric computing.”

Currently, the fastest supercomputer in the world is China’s Tianhe-2, which runs at 33.86 petaflops. This means it is capable of performing 33.86 quadrillion floating point operations per second. The second fastest supercomputer in existence resides in the US; Titan Cray XK7, a machine at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, runs at 17.59 petaflops.

The United States still has more entries on the Top500 list of supercomputers than any other country; it houses 233 of the world’s fastest computers, Europe 141 and China 37.

The National Strategic Computer Initiative seeks to build a supercomputer capable of running at 1000 petaflops or higher, which would make it the world’s first exaflop computer. This would give it the ability to perform one quintillion (a billion billion) calculations per second, which is believed to be the order of processing power of the human brain at neural level.

There was no timeline provided as to when this project will be completed, although the executive order did state that NSCI must be setup within 90 days of today and must release annual reports about its progress.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/61574-obama-wants-us-build-world-first-exascale-supercomputer.html

 

[SirDigby]

Big *** computer? That'll be awesome! HOSTED GAMING CLOUD THAT ACTUALLY WORKS AND RUNS ON ULTRA 4K ANYONE?
But in all seriousness this is a really cool project which I think many other countries could learn from, there are still many issues in areas like global warming and neuroscience that could be investigated further with this kind of computing power.

Hopefully Nvidia releases another GPU in honour of THIS supercomputer too! - Nvidia NSCI SUPERCRAY 4*4GB HBM with 3GHz clock!

 

[RzmmDX]

Big *** computer? That'll be awesome! HOSTED GAMING CLOUD THAT ACTUALLY WORKS AND RUNS ON ULTRA 4K ANYONE?
But in all seriousness this is a really cool project which I think many other countries could learn from, there are still many issues in areas like global warming and neuroscience that could be investigated further with this kind of computing power.

Hopefully Nvidia releases another GPU in honour of THIS supercomputer too! - Nvidia NSCI SUPERCRAY 4*4GB HBM with 3GHz clock!

Ha, that is assuming that our network infrastructure can handle the traffic.

But at this point, shouldn't the focus be on quantum computing though?

 

[AnilD]

Awesome! But, can it run Crysis?

 

[RustyTech]

I think we all know what that computer will be used for.

 

[Razer]

Is it the dawn of skynet?

 

[Danster1616]

So Basicly Skynet?

 

[captaincranky]

Obama also wants to fling open the doors of the nation's prisons and let all the drug dealers go free also. At least he said something to the effect that drugs were, "a victimless crime":. This fool should come down my way and watch people withering away from AIDS, and rethink that.

Then, he could revoke any contract(s) in force with this imbecile Elon Musk. Space X blew up another rocket on a mission to resupply the International Space Station a week or so ago. So, the Russians had to, (successfully), fly the mission. The more Musk and Obama run their mouths, the further behind we get. At this point, Trump looks like the viable alternative .I can't wait for 2016.

 

[SirDigby]

Ha, that is assuming that our network infrastructure can handle the traffic.

Hahaha I get 152Mbps with Virgin Media in the UK, 4K streaming isn't a problem for me as far as I am aware, though I don't have a 4K TV to prove it.

But at this point, shouldn't the focus be on quantum computing though?

Good point actually - Quantum computing is a big focus right now, but it has limited uses at the moment, and it's still very much in it's infancy - strangely I haven't heard any news about QC in quite a while now...
GOOGLE WHERE YOU AT?!

 

[SirDigby]

Obama also wants to fling open the doors of the nation's prisons and let all the drug dealers go free also. At least he said something to the effect that drugs were, "a victimless crime":. This fool should come down my way and watch people withering away from AIDS, and rethink that.

Then, he could revoke any contract(s) in force with this imbecile Elon Musk. Space X blew up another rocket on a mission to resupply the International Space Station a week or so ago. So, the Russians had to, (successfully), fly the mission. The more Musk and Obama run their mouths, the further behind we get.

Because the Russians, and NASA never had a rocket blow up on a mission...
I'm not an Obama fan by any means, I'm much more socialist (not hard, seeing America doesn't even have a left party...) but he has done more good than Romney would've.

 

[MilwaukeeMike]

Then, he could revoke any contract(s) in force with this imbecile Elon Musk. Space X blew up another rocket on a mission to resupply the International Space Station a week or so ago. So, the Russians had to, (successfully), fly the mission. The more Musk and Obama run their mouths, the further behind we get.

Because the Russians, and NASA never had a rocket blow up on a mission...
I'm not an Obama fan by any means, I'm much more socialist (not hard, seeing America doesn't even have a left party...) but he has done more good than Romney would've.

You don't like Obama because he's not far enough left? I think you may be frustrated by American politics then because they don't get any farther left than him in the US without getting into the 'too crazy to elect' zone.

Anyway... Elon needs to blow up rockets (aka, take risks). Not being allowed to blow up rockets (or miss their landings on barges) is what's been holding back the space program for decades. The govt never takes risks with the space program because they have to answer to the taxpayer. Elon doesn't answer to anyone (not even a stockholder with SpaceX), and that frees him up to move technology forward.
Yes, the russians successfully flew the mission... with their rocket from the 1960's. If we're ever gonna get a space resort in orbit (way cooler than going to mars imo) we need some advancement. And that means reusable rockets like Musk is making.

 

[SirDigby]

You don't like Obama because he's not far enough left? I think you may be frustrated by American politics then because they don't get any farther left than him in the US without getting into the 'too crazy to elect' zone.

Anyway... Elon needs to blow up rockets (aka, take risks). Not being allowed to blow up rockets (or miss their landings on barges) is what's been holding back the space program for decades. The govt never takes risks with the space program because they have to answer to the taxpayer. Elon doesn't answer to anyone (not even a stockholder with SpaceX), and that frees him up to move technology forward.
Yes, the russians successfully flew the mission... with their rocket from the 1960's. If we're ever gonna get a space resort in orbit (way cooler than going to mars imo) we need some advancement. And that means reusable rockets like Musk is making.

Hahahaha yeah America seems like a country full of barbarians to me to be honest. Don't take that offensively I think that about my country too (The UK).
But yeah I agree, Elon Musk is one of the greatest innovators of technology in our time! What he is doing for technology is because he loves technology and people and doesnt want to see the world f*cked up if theres anything he can do about it, the world needs more Elon Musks!

 

[captaincranky]

You don't like Obama because he's not far enough left? I think you may be frustrated by American politics then because they don't get any farther left than him in the US without getting into the 'too crazy to elect' zone.

If it weren't for the fact the best part of John McCain still being in North Vietnam, Obama was too crazy to elect the first time.

As near as I can figure, you don't even know what "left" and "right" mean in American politics. Really, why don't you look that up? If Obama got any further "left", he'd be wearing an afro and headband, and we'd hear Jimi Hendrix greatest hits pouring out of the White House's windows.

Anyway... Elon needs to blow up rockets (aka, take risks). Not being allowed to blow up rockets (or miss their landings on barges) is what's been holding back the space program for decades. The govt never takes risks with the space program because they have to answer to the taxpayer. Elon doesn't answer to anyone (not even a stockholder with SpaceX), and that frees him up to move technology forward.

Oh, is that what's happening.? Musk has never released a product that he could deliver. The pointless wall of useless batteries being a prime example. Not only doesn't it, "save energy", they've got orders for them they can't fill for months. It doesn't illustrate Musk's ability, it illustrates how deep truly stupid runs in American society today..

Yes, the russians successfully flew the mission... with their rocket from the 1960's. If we're ever gonna get a space resort in orbit (way cooler than going to mars imo) we need some advancement. And that means reusable rockets like Musk is making.

You've apparently never heard the saying, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Our Air Force was blowing up "Vanguard" boosters trying to launch a satellite back in the early 60's. I might add, the same as this putz Musk is doing today..Oh well, they say, "history ignored is doomed to repeat itself".

As for the US government, "not taking risks",or, "needing Elon Musk to show it the way" we were walking on the moon decades ago, while Musk's company can't seem to get a backpack full of lunch and pencils off the launch pad to this day.

 

[captaincranky]

Hahahaha yeah America seems like a country full of barbarians to me to be honest. Don't take that offensively I think that about my country too (The UK).
But yeah I agree, Elon Musk is one of the greatest innovators of technology in our time! What he is doing for technology is because he loves technology and people and doesnt want to see the world f*cked up if theres anything he can do about it, the world needs more Elon Musks!

What we really need, are more governments like England's, to effectively legislate mixed tapes out of existence.

And please, shelve the "barbarian" comments about the US. Two reasons. One, The British invented the "pit bull", (Staffordshire Bull Terrier). And two, I don't think "barbarian" is strong enough to describe the state of retrograde behaviour which abounds in the US today. "God save the queen(z)".

 

[captaincranky]

Is it the dawn of skynet?

God I hope so! We've needed a "cleansing of the hive" for decades. Hopefully, Skynet will start that cleansing in Washington DC, and work its way out from there. Or maybe from our Capitol, do a hop, skip and jump, over to North Korea.

 

[RustyTech]

Did someone hack captaincranky's account or is the captain being overly cranky today?

 

[MilwaukeeMike]

Oh, is that what's happening.? Musk has never released a product that he could deliver. The pointless wall of useless batteries being a prime example. Not only doesn't it, "save energy", they've got orders for them they can't fill for months. It doesn't illustrate Musk's ability, it illustrates how deep truly stupid runs in American society today..
You've apparently never heard the saying, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Our Air Force was blowing up "Vanguard" boosters trying to launch a satellite back in the early 60's. I might add, the same as this putz Musk is doing today..Oh well, they say, "history ignored is doomed to repeat itself".

As for the US government, "not taking risks",or, "needing Elon Musk to show it the way" we were walking on the moon decades ago, while Musk's company can't seem to get a backpack full of lunch and pencils off the launch pad to this day.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.... how about 'You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.'
yes, we were on the moon decades ago and we don't go anymore because building an extremely expensive rocket to use on a single journey doesn't make any sense to anyone. No one has been to the moon in 33 years!! If you want to debate whether we should fund space exploration fine, but the way it's currently done is definitely broken. It's so broken it isn't used.

it's why the govt needs private investors to take the risks and pony up the dough for them. DARPA hosts autonomous car contests in the desert and gets access to tech they don't have to fund. SpaceX is figuring out how to launch things into orbit for a fraction of the cost. And that is very important because of how addicted we've all become to global wireless communication, not to mention GPS and Satellite TV.
Counting on the govt for innovation is ludicrous, which I know you agree with because of your Barrack "The govt is responsible for all job creation" Obama comments. The opposite of that point of view is one where private industry innovates, so I'm a little confused on where you stand.

Unless it's Option C: no innovation at all.

 

[captaincranky]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.... how about 'You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.'

Then how about if we get Mr. Musk to invest in a few chicken ranches, instead of trying to reinvent the wheel on investor's dime.

Besides, there's only so many horsepower per pound of hydrazine. The same is true of LOX and and liquid hydrogen.

And BTW, rocket boosters, aren't reusable if they explode on the launch pad.

Here, enjoy last's week's launch in 1957:

 

[red1776]

Well obviously they did not use enough glue on the nose cone...an easy fix.

 

[bkramer]

This ***** coulnt build a healthcare webpage. and he wants to tackle this? Waste of time. Let the next guy do it and save the taxpayers millions.

 

[captaincranky]

This ***** coulnt build a healthcare webpage. and he wants to tackle this? Waste of time. Let the next guy do it and save the taxpayers millions.

Right well, that because he "delegated". Now if he would have coded it himself....., er,....... the same thing would have happened sooner.... (never mind).

I say they give the undertaking of building the "exo-scale computer", to Elon Musk. He'd be able to build it, and make it eco-friendly at the same time. His version, wind powered of course, would run on free hot air, his..

 

[erickmendes]

1. Would it be 1024 petabytes a exabyte???
and...
2. Can it run Minecraft server?

 

[captaincranky]

2. Can it run Minecraft server?

What's happening here? You know it's years past the point where you could get away with, "but will it run Crysis", so you substituted, "Minecraft server" instead?

 

[erickmendes]

What's happening here? You know it's years past the point where you could get away with, "but will it run Crysis", so you substituted, "Minecraft server" instead?

A classic is a classic lol

 

[cliffordcooley]

This would give it the ability to perform one quintillion (a billion billion) calculations per second, which is believed to be the order of processing power of the human brain at neural level.

Unless you are speaking about Obama. I'm starting to believe he has had so many neural misfires, his neural error correcting software no longer functions.