Department of Defense Selects DDN EXAScaler ES400X and Penguin Computing TrueHPC

DDN (DataDirect Networks, Inc.) announced the Department of Defense HPC Modernization Program (DoD HPCMP) will implement its EXAScaler ES400X appliances in conjunction with Penguin Computing‘s TrueHPC supercomputing platform.

Dod Hpc

The new systems will be integrated at the Navy DoD Supercomputing Resource Center (Navy DSRC) and Air Force Research Laboratory DoD Supercomputing Resource Center (AFRL DSRC), which rank among the top 100 global HPCs.

The new systems, using the latest gen storage, memory and processing technologies, will enhance the DoD HPCMP’s capability to support Science and Technology (S&T), Test and Evaluation (T&E) and acquisition engineering communities.

“Our DoD customers are dealing with extremely complex data models to conduct their advanced research,” said Jeff Jordan, VP of Federal sales, DDN. “DDN’s focus on real-world performance, faster implementation and efficient scaling will get key technology into the hands of users who are driving research, development and operational projects and increasing their productivity. It’s gratifying to see these systems used to help the DOD meet its mission in confronting massive challenges such as Covid-19 research, AI and ML, and virtual prototyping.“

The Navy DSRC system uses 26PB of EXAScaler storage, including 4PB of NVMe-based flash storage and 22PB of disk drive-based storage for long term data. The AFRL DSRC system, supported by over 20PB of EXAScaler storage, enables data analytics as well as adding to the HPCMP’s capability to support DoD AI requirements.

DDN has deployed multi-petabyte systems to support the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) in Aberdeen, MD and the US Army Engineer R&D Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, MS. These deployments support their programs by supplying solutions specifically designed to address complex workloads and diverse resource demands. AI and analytics use cases require more storage performance and scalability to drive faster computation and make data management easier and secure.

“We are pleased to partner with DDN to deliver solutions that will help the DoD in their pursuit of solutions to the most challenging science and technology questions,” said Sid Mair, president, Penguin Computing. “Together, Penguin Computing and DDN look to set the standard for efficient HPC and AI infrastructure.“

The AFRL DSRC and Navy DSRC systems are expected to enter production service early in 2022.

DDN exhibited at the AFCEA WEST 2022 conference on February 16-18, 2022 in San Diego, CA. Federal division representatives DDN showcased solutions helping customers accelerate digital transformation and achieve levels of scale for better and faster decisions for their massive datasets.

About the DoD HPC Modernization Program (HPCMP)
It provides the Department of Defense supercomputing capabilities, high-speed network communications and computational science expertise that enable DoD scientists and engineers to conduct a wide-range of focused R&D, test and evaluation, and acquisition engineering activities. This partnership puts advanced technology in the hands of US forces more quickly, less expensively, and with greater certainty of success. The HPCMP provides advanced computing environment for the DoD that includes expertise in software development and system design, powerful HPC systems, and a premier wide-area research network. It is managed on behalf of the Department of Defense by the US Army Engineer R&D Center located in Vicksburg, MS.