Exascale-class supercomputer

The company Atos has unveiled the new BullSequana XH3000, an exascale-class supercomputer. Computers of this scale can perform up to a trillion calculations per second (1 ExaFlop). This computing power will enable leading scientists and researchers to make further advances in areas such as weather forecasting and climate change, new drug discovery and genomics. The supercomputer was developed and built by Atos at its factory in Angers, France. It is said to be this manufacturer's most efficient and powerful system to date. According to Atos, this development plays a key role in keeping important knowledge and expertise in the field of high-performance computing in Europe. The new supercomputer plays an important role in securing digital and economic sovereignty.

Strengthening digital and economic sovereignty

Because governments, public institutions and private sector companies are making sovereignty a priority: it's about realizing the full potential of their data while protecting it at all costs. With the BullSequana XH3000 and expertise in both the. sovereign cloud as well as with the Cybersecurity, there is now a way to gain control over the data they generate and share.

Supercomputer sets new technical standards

The increasing volume and complexity of data means that there is an exponential demand for computing power. There is no other way to address new challenges facing humanity, such as global warming and the Covid 19 pandemic. The BullSequana XH3000 will be able to deliver unprecedented computing power: With up to six times the performance of the previous version - and at every performance level, including exascale. This will be achieved using advanced hybrid computing technology to combine CPUs and GPUs with AI and even quantum computing hardware for use in traditional scientific simulations.

"Green" technology

In addition, the new supercomputer is very energy-efficient. An eco-design and architecture focused on sustainability ensure this, Atos informs. In addition to the patented DLC (Direct Liquid Cooling) solution, which offers more than 50 percent additional cooling capacity compared to previous generations, particular attention was paid to a completely environmentally friendly product life cycle. This ranges from the procurement of raw materials and production to testing and transport, right through to disposal and recycling.

Compatibility guaranteed

The BullSequana XH3000 combines the latest and most sophisticated technologies, network components as well as communication systems. It is powered by the latest CPU and GPU processor and accelerator architectures from AMD, Intel, NVIDIA and last but not least the European microprocessor from SiPearl powered. It has improved energy consumption and computing power, enabling faster and more efficient large-scale scientific simulations.

Thanks to the OpenSequana architecture, the system is fully compatible with all future blade and interconnect technologies and can be easily expanded as needed. With a security-by-design approach that combines vulnerability monitoring and threat anticipation, the BullSequana XH3000 ensures that data is fully protected.

The BullSequana XH3000 is expected to be available in Q4 2022.

The supercomputer in detail

• Higher performance: Up to six times increase in computing power per m² and best computing power per m² on the market

• Fully scalable: With a configuration of 1PFlops up to 1 ExaFlops for digital simulations and up to 10 ExaFlops for AI applications (once next-generation processors are on the market)

• Flexibility: The system can integrate the latest processors from AMD, Intel, NVIDIA and the planned European EPI processor. These achieve up to 1000W and more, offering improved performance compared to today's 350W systems.

• Ready for today and the future: Supports today's most sophisticated technologies and future technologies (including future processors that will be released in the next six years)

• Energy efficiency: Improved 4th generation Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC): To keep up with the consumption of the latest CPU and GPU generation, the system has 50 percent more cooling capacity than previous generations.

• Designed for "traditional" digital simulations and accelerated hybrid computations with HPC, AI, and quantum convergence.

• The first generation of Atos supercomputers to support a wide range of communication networks including BXI, High Speed Ethernet and HDR & NDR InfiniBand.