Delivering Sustainable Computing for Researchers, Engineers and Scientists Alces Flight Launches Concertim

Alces Flight, a prominent player in high-performance computing solutions, has unveiled its cutting-edge High-Performance Computing (HPC) cloud delivery platform, Concertim, at the 2023 Supercomputing Conference series (SC23). This innovative platform is specifically designed for constructing private and public cloud environments, customizable to users' unique requirements, while simultaneously providing tools to reduce the cost and carbon footprint of research computing. Delivered through an intuitive web portal, Concertim empowers users to configure compute resources and monitor cost, power, and carbon footprint within a familiar HPC cluster layout.

Concertim addresses a common challenge in HPC by simplifying the complexity associated with setting up and optimizing platforms for cost and power efficiency. According to Wil Mayers of Alces Flight, "Users are presented with a simple dashboard that allows them to launch a cluster that suits their particular needs - while clearly showing them the efficiency, cost, and carbon impact of their computations."

The platform offers various compute environments, including a traditional HPC batch cluster, containerized environments suitable for AI and ML workloads, and interactive developer workstations with server-side 3D rendering. Users can configure their environment via the web interface, launch their cluster, and gain immediate access, eliminating the wait for hardware resource provisioning over extended periods.

Concertim serves both data center partners and end-users directly. Data center partners can provide HPC cloud services without extensive investments in specialized in-house teams. Simultaneously, end-users can access cost-effective and environmentally friendly compute capabilities tailored to their applications, reducing both time-to-science and cost-of-service delivery.

On-demand services based on Concertim cater to users consuming resources for hours, days, or weeks. For those committing to months or years, Alces and its partners offer dedicated equipment options benefiting from centralized, low-cost, low-carbon infrastructure. Alces manages over 500,000 compute cores, 100PB of data, and some of the Top50 HPC clusters globally, ensuring cost reductions and a consistent user experience. The platform showcases Alces Flight's commitment to advancing HPC accessibility, efficiency, and sustainability, making it a significant player in the evolving landscape of high-performance computing.