APPLICATIONS

Clemson University researchers now have access to a campuswide computing grid thanks to the recent deployment of the Condor program by Clemson Computing and Information Technology (CCIT). Condor, which is maintained by CCIT, connects nearly 1,000 Windows-based PCs in the computer labs, library and other Clemson facilities. Created at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Condor is job-scheduling middleware that matches job requirements to machine capabilities. By harvesting unused cycles from networked computers, Condor vastly reduces computing times. It has already greatly impacted Clemson’s research capabilities. Mary Beth Kurz, assistant professor of industrial engineering, is the first to employ the new Condor grid in her work, using the equivalent of 17 years of computer time in just one week. “The Condor grid has enabled me to conduct my research, without a doubt,” Kurz said. “Before using the campus grid, I was completely without hope of completing the computational studies that my research required. As soon as I saw hundreds of my jobs running on the campus grid, I started sending love notes to the Condor team at Clemson.” Kurz, who studies genetic algorithms for large-scale optimization in manufacturing and scheduling applications, seeks methods for increasing the throughput of manufacturers. These genetic algorithms can also be applied to other combinatorial optimization problems. Thanks to Condor, Kurz can compare more alternative genetic algorithm designs to find those best suited for scheduling purposes. Computational studies that would have taken 240 days of computing time can now be completed in less than 30 days. Sebastien Goasguen, assistant professor in Clemson’s new School of Computing, partnered with CCIT high performance computing group. The Condor deployment was the group’s first initiative. Clemson University has made computing a strategic priority and is investing in a campuswide cyber-infrastructure that, in addition to the Condor deployment, will boost research and education.