bwGRiD

The bwGRID is a distributed aggregation of computer nodes, operated by eight Baden-Württemberg state universities. Besides utilisation of local clusters at the different sites, the main focus lies on the transparent centralisation of distributed computers into a single grid.

State-wide

By establishing the bwGRiD, functionality and benefits of grid concepts are to be demonstrated, existing organisational and security issues to be overcome, new cluster applications to be developed, licensing problems to be resolved and a specialisation of the individual IT Service Centres to be facilitated. The current upgrading of the state universities' network BELWUE to a network speed of 10 Gbit/s will play a key role in the intended cooperation of the IT Service Centres. In addition, the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and Arts supports the installation of the bwGRiD with staff appropriation.

The parallel computer clusters are being coupled within the framework of the D-Grid Initiative. By integrating further systems available at the universities into this in the first instance homogeneous cluster, issues with transferability of applications are to be demonstrated and, with the help of suppliers, to be resolved. The size of individual clusters must be appropriate for the computation and resolution of real problems from science and economy. The KIT in Karlsruhe is, in cooperation with the participating universities, responsible for project coordination. 

One-of-a-kind

The infrastructure, as it has been established in Baden –Württemberg within the framework of the bwGRiD project in recent years, is unique both in terms of the level of cooperation of individual university IT Service Centres and also in comparison with other German federal states.

Since midyear 2010, all bwGRiD locations provide users with a single environment, allowing users to change locations with their applications without any issues, and providing a great amount of computing resources in the most flexible way.