technologyreseller.co.uk 31 DATA CENTRES and diamond-light processes for virus analysis that can generate data sets of 700GB each. It also allows the Institute to leverage new advancements in HPC, AI and GPU-powered computing to identify breakthroughs in viral research at a far faster rate. “The new containerised data centre will provide a long-term, flexible, collaborative and scalable solution, which enables the Institute’s end-users to deliver the highest standards of research, while meeting future demands for security and sustainability,” he said. To this end, the data centre includes complete monitoring and management systems, delivered via Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure IT Expert data centre infrastructure management (DCIM) software, supported by Netbotz environmental monitoring, with over 60 data parameters measured and managed, including temperature, humidity, leak detection. Multiple cameras provide real-time information via one complete platform. For Tim Haywood, IT infrastructure manager at The Pirbright Institute, security is paramount and this is another important element of the deployment. “Cyber and physical security is at the heart of the Institute’s work, and it is essential that we have continuous and proactive protection against phishing, malware, ransomware and more. In fact, security is one of the biggest drivers we have, after the science,” he said. “The investments we’ve made in EcoStruxure DCIM and data centre physical security have paid dividends, allowing us to leverage automation and remote monitoring to help protect against a host of threats.” Provisioning for the Future The new data centre provides a dedicated, world-class IT function that allows Pirbright to compete for ground-breaking research projects on a global basis. As well as providing the highest levels of availability, resiliency and efficiency, its scalable, modular architecture aligns The Pirbright Institute’s IT infrastructure with development plans designed to maintain its position as the UK’s foremost centre of excellence in the research and surveillance of viral diseases. These include new laboratories, scientific and administrative facilities, three new centres of computing and a control facility. With its flexibility and capacity, the CPC gives the Institute a solid IT foundation on which to develop groundbreaking research for decades to come, enabling its scientists and researchers to leverage state-of-the-art laboratories, high-tech virology and HPC (and its vast data requirements) to fast-track its contributions to global health and welfare for animals. “The new data centre at Pirbright exemplifies the fundamental role these advanced computing systems play in life science research, and truly demonstrates why data centres have been designated critical national infrastructure,” said Mark Yeeles, Vice President, Secure Power division, Schneider Electric UK and Ireland. “It also reinforces the role of digital infrastructure as a critical fourth utility. Through these new, world-class IT facilities, the Institute has developed a secure, scalable and dedicated platform to support the vital work of its researchers now and in the future.” Download the case study here Test driving the NVIDIA Grace Hopper Vespertec Test Drive Programme is first in Europe to offer customers combined access to NVIDIA’s latest Grace Hopper Superchip and SN5600 800GB/s network switch Vesper Technologies (Vespertec), a specialist in the design, configuration, delivery and support of high performance data centre infrastructure, has launched an onsite AI lab environment where customers can explore, benchmark and validate cutting-edge computing technologies risk-free. It claims its is the first site in Europe to feature both the latest NVIDIA Grace Hopper architecture and NVIDIA’s most powerful ethernet switch to date, the SN5600 800GB/s. Vespertec describes the NVIDIA GH200 Grace Hopper Superchip architecture, driven by its CPU+GPU coherent memory model, as the pinnacle of hardware for accelerated AI and high-performance compute (HPC) applications. Complementing the GH200’s bleeding-edge performance and processing capabilities, the lab also features an NVIDIA PCIe-based GPU server, allowing customers to compare and contrast performance across different environments. The entire setup is linked by the NVIDIA Spectrum-4 SN5600 switch and Edgeware interconnect, ensuring high-bandwidth, low-latency networking throughout the platform. Vespertec says the Test Drive programme, available via remote access, is particularly valuable for those who need to validate their code’s performance on new architectures, especially given the switch from x86 to Arm Neoverse v2 cores in the Grace Hopper architecture. With Vespertec having already deployed around 100 Grace Hopper systems, the lab environment is also a powerful tool for troubleshooting and performance optimisation. The remote access feature enables a wide range of users, from academic researchers to enterprise solution architects, to leverage this cutting-edge technology without geographical constraints. Vespertec’s highly experienced engineers work collaboratively with Nvidia and are available to support users and ensure a successful test drive. Allan Kaye, Co-founder and Director of Vespertec, said: “We understand the complexities involved in adopting the latest solutions, which is why we’ve created this resource. By offering remote access to the newest hardware, we’re enabling our customers to thoroughly evaluate these technologies before purchase and also providing a valuable troubleshooting resource post-implementation. This initiative is a natural extension of our customer‑first philosophy, ensuring we’re there for our clients – from initial exploration to long-term support.” www.vespertec.com The Vespertec Team
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