INTERCONNECTS

CERN and Oracle Corporation today announced that Oracle is joining the CERN openlab for DataGrid applications to collaborate in creating new grid computing technologies and exploring new computing and data management solutions far beyond today's Internet-based computing. The CERN openlab for DataGrid applications will see collaboration between CERN researchers and companies such as Oracle to create cutting-edge solutions for the data grids of the future. The CERN openlab for DataGrid applications, which involves partners Oracle, Enterasys Networks, HP, IBM and Intel, will build and test prototype grid applications of increasing power and functionality. The open, collaborative environment of the partnership places an emphasis on a common development programme for data-intensive grid computing based on open standards. Oracle is sponsoring 1.5 million euros over three years towards equipment and the funding of young research fellows, who will test Oracle® Database 10g within CERN's demanding environment. CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC), currently under construction, is the largest scientific instrument in the world. The LHC Computing Grid (LCG) is expected to be the largest data-intensive application of the decade, because it will represent the key link between the LHC detectors and nearly ten thousand scientists and tens of thousands of computers around the world. This computing grid will be used to analyse data from the LHC, sifting through petabytes of particle collision data, (a petabyte is a million gigabytes) looking for clues to the origins of the Universe. "The challenges we face with grid computing are understanding what impact it will have on future applications, where it will benefit organisations most, what applications are most suited to the grid, and what implementation challenges exist. The CERN openlab collaboration will enable us to demonstrate how grid technologies will impact the future development of the LHC Computing Grid, which is already being used in real-life in a grid spanning over a dozen different countries," said Wolfgang von Rüden, Head of the CERN openlab for DataGrid applications and Leader of the IT Division at CERN. "We chose to focus on Oracle 10g technology in the openlab partnership because Oracle understands grid computing, is able to deliver a high-performance, clustered architecture that allows us to share all of our resources, and meets our requirements by supporting the adoption of commodity hardware." "That we have already been able to deliver grid technology to the market in the shape of Oracle 10g is due in no small part to the close partnership we have had with CERN over the years," said Sergio Giacoletto, executive vice president, Oracle Europe, Middle East and Africa. "CERN is pushing the envelope in this area, and we are delighted to make a further contribution via this sponsorship of the openlab project. Leading-edge grid technologies developed at CERN will be road-tested as part of its Large Hadron Collider project. As these technologies then come into the commercial mainstream, both we and our customers will benefit even further."