Within the framework of the HPC.NRW initiative and in accordance with the statewide strategy for high-performance computing (HPC), the University of Cologne has established a universally usable high-performance computing system ("Base Cluster 1"). The cluster is available to participating universities and universities of applied sciences in North Rhine-Westphalia. The strategy is aimed at a gradual expansion. The expansion stage described in this tender ("Base Cluster 2") - consisting of hardware and software - must be operated as an independent cluster alongside the existing cluster(s) and complement and extend their functionality. Fast data exchange between the individual stages must be ensured so that the cluster can be used – to a certain extent – as a single system.
LOT-0001
University of Cologne - HPC-Cluster.NRW - Base Cluster 2 -.
The goal of the system to be procured is to provide a computing environment specially tailored to the requirements of a general-purpose computing system for scientific simulations as well as applications in the fields of machine learning and artificial intelligence. The offer must include a fully functional and turnkey system, including all specified components, racks, cabling, and network infrastructure. Delivery and installation will take place in a single installation step at the location specified in this document. An exception is the subsequent upgrade of nodes with the offered accelerator components if these are not yet available at the time of system assembly. Operating system and cluster management software will be provided by the supplier as part of the installation process. As a Tier-3 system, it is primarily designed for high throughput and serves as a platform that enables researchers as seamless a transition as possible to Tier-2 and Tier-1 computing power. Although suppliers may choose the technology they consider most suitable to optimize application performance, architectural decisions that only increase overall performance are explicitly not recommended.
Regarding system service, the basic term is five years with the option of three one-year extensions.