Australia launches ‘Virga’, a high-performance supercomputer revolutionizing AI and research, setting new standards for computational prowess Down Under.

Short Summary:

• Virga is Australia’s $14.5M supercomputer, ranked 72nd globally.
• Built by CSIRO, it enhances AI and machine learning capabilities.
• Housing cutting-edge hardware, it advances Australia’s scientific research.

Australia Unleashes ‘Virga’ Supercomputer 

Australia’s leapfrogging in the computational world with its new supercomputer, Virga. Although it stands as the 72nd fastest globally, this machine is a game-changer for Australia’s scientific landscape. What’s cooking behind the scenes is truly transformative.

A Modest Start

Virga’s story starts with its $14.5 million price tag. Compared to the top dog, the Frontier supercomputer in the United States, which cost a staggering $600M, Virga seems modest. But don’t be fooled by the numbers. Money isn’t everything.

“Virga’s entry signals a new era of computational prowess,” noted SJ, chief editor of scijournal.

Inside the Beast

Virga flexes 60,000 CPU cores, driven by Intel’s 4th Gen 36-core Xeon processors, and muscled further by NVIDIA H100 GPUs. These beasts pack 94GB of memory each. According to Cosmos, Virga required 50 tons of IT hardware to be operational.

“High-performance computing systems like Virga play an essential role in robotics and AI developments, crucial to our National Robotics Strategy,” stated Elanor Huntington, CSIRO’s Executive Director of Digital, National Facilities, and Collections.

An Evolution of Power

Despite its current position, Virga outperforms Australia’s prior HPC systems: Bracewell and Petrichor, which featured 25,000 CPU cores. Virga delivers almost 15 petaflops of computational performance, setting a new benchmark in Australia’s computational capabilities.

“Our data needs have ballooned. We needed Virga to step in and shoulder the computational load for our ambitious research goals,” remarked Huntington.

The Lighter Approach

Located at the Canberra Data Centre (CDC), Virga isn’t just about raw power. It’s a feat of engineering efficiency. Hybrid direct liquid cooling keeps the machine cool without relying heavily on energy-consuming air systems, crafting an eco-friendly computing behemoth.

“With the H100 GPUs, our AI models were transforming from sluggish crawlers to sprinters. Virga is essentially a steroids shot to this AI powerhouse,” commented Angus Macoustra, CSIRO’s Chief Technology Officer.

A Vision for the Future

CSIRO eyes a brighter horizon with Virga, focusing on AI, machine learning, digital science, and much more. From dissecting MRI scans to propelling the National Robotics Strategy, Virga is the fulcrum of Australia’s innovative leap in research.

Historical Ties

CSIRO’s HPC journey dates back to 1949 with CSIRAC, and since then, Australia’s commitment to high-performance computing has only escalated. Bracewell’s deployment in 2017 was notable, but Virga sets a new precedent.

Funding the Future

Australia isn’t stopping at Virga. The government recently infused $70 million to replace ageing systems at the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre. Magnus and Galaxy, which currently handle a myriad of scientific research, are on their way out to make room for more powerful successors. Additionally, another $70 million was allocated to replace Australia’s top-performing Raijin supercomputer.

“With fresh funding, Australia can solidify its global research position and maintain competitiveness,” expressed John Langoulant, Pawsey Supercomputing Centre Board chairman.

Swimming with the Big Fish

Despite its modest standing, Virga signals Australia’s intent to swim with the big fish. Modernizing their infrastructures with investments, Australia is gearing up to offer scientists performance facets that were once considered out of reach.

Looking Ahead

Virga’s arrival marks an exciting chapter. Australia’s computational drive, led by CSIRO, aligns with global trends focusing on AI, machine learning, and digital economies. Nurturing these domains will invigorate industry, inspire innovation, and uphold Australia’s future-proof scientific stride.

“The installation of Virga is not merely about upgrading IT. It’s about driving Australian innovation front and center,” emphasized Macoustra.

SJ, your tech aficionado, signs off. Until the next tale of silicon and circuits.