Summary of Issues

I have addressed the following important issues:

• cost/performance relationships;

• large memory;

• mass storage;

• software environments;

• network support; and

• new architecture.

NSA is driven by computing requirements that would demand a 40 per cent improvement each year in cost/performance if annual investment were to be held steady. Since we are far from getting that improvement—even though cost/performance has improved a great deal over the years—the complexes are growing. We have problems that are intractable today because sufficiently large memories are not available on the systems. Mass storage and software environments have been thoroughly discussed. Network support, which is lagging behind, has not worked well with the storage industry or with the HPC industry. A much tighter integration of developments in the networking area is necessary to satisfy the needs of NSA.

HPC facilities issues include space, power, and cooling. We are seriously considering building an environmentally stable building that will allow the import of 40 kilowatts of power to the systems. However, such outrageous numbers should drive the computer industry toward cooler systems, new technology, and into the direction of superconductivity.