Intersect partners with Hitachi Data Systems for $2M Research Cloud in NSW
Teaming Agreement supports plans for R&D centre, underlining NSW’s depth and calibre of ICT and Research
Intersect and Hitachi Data Systems shake on it: (L to R) Laurence Cole, HDS; Dr Ian Gibson, Intersect; Neil Evans, HDS; Shane Youl, Intersect; Willie Lusted, HDS.
Intersect has selected Hitachi Data Systems to build the NSW node of Research Data Storage Infrastructure (RDSI). With an initial investment of around AU$2 million, the cloud platform will support data intensive research and collaboration, reinforcing Sydney’s position as one of the world’s foremost research centres. The infrastructure will connect 11 universities in NSW.
Intersect and Hitachi Data Systems have also signed Australia’s first teaming agreement to further serve the network’s members over the long term. The memorandum gives research bodies access to the Hitachi R&D program as Intersect works toward a next-generation R&D centre. The centre will enable research and innovation with information and communications technology (ICT) systems specifically designed for data-driven research and collaboration.
The Hitachi solution will create a single, fully integrated platform for all data, comprised of Hitachi NAS (HNAS), Hitachi Content Platform (HCP), Hitachi Unified Storage (HUS) and tape, delivering 4 Petabytes (PB) of online and object storage and 2PB of nearline storage. The new infrastructure will enable Intersect to offer data storage at no cost for researchers that qualify under the RDSI scheme. The data will be accessible via very high-speed access to AARNET, the NeCTAR research cloud, and high-performance computing facilities, with access through file sharing, databases and applications.
CEO of Intersect Dr Ian Gibson said: “Hitachi and Intersect share a commitment and dedication to R&D and innovation, which makes Hitachi the perfect partner to further enhance NSW’s status as Australia’s leading research state with the planned R&D Centre. The RDSI investment in the Sydney storage node positions NSW, and our members in particular, to compete favourably in the increasingly globalised and online world of research.”
The Research Data Storage Infrastructure (RDSI) Project, an initiative of the Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education, is funded from the Education Investment Fund under the Super Science (Future Industries) initiative.
RDSI status update
The Intersect Node now has 35 collections approved by the Storage Allocation Committee. We are working with the data custodians on their technical requirements and data migration planning.
The cutoff date for the next round of applications is Monday 12th August.
Intersect involved in Biodiversity and Climate Change Virtual Lab
Intersect is one of the key development partners in the Biodiversity & Climate Change Virtual Laboratory (BCCVL). Funded by NeCTAR and headed up by Griffith University, the VLab will provide a portfolio of tools, data and portals for modelling the responses of Australia’s biodiversity to climate change.
The team thus far has been focused on technical issues with a tight group of scientific collaborators and is now at the point of engaging with the climate adaption community more broadly, and will do so over the coming months.
The BCCVL project aims to enable a phase shift in biodiversity modelling, the application of models to virtual experiments, and the links to enable the uptake of the model outputs for adaptation planning.
The BCCVL will provide an interface linking data and model algorithms with high performance computing infrastructure, and enabling novel analyses including potential climate change impacts on biodiversity through multi-model ensemble forecasts.
Intersect mobile app launches in nationwide roadshow
A mobile app and guide developed by Intersect is about to be launched via a national roadshow.
‘LEASA’ was developed by Intersect for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and funded by the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency to assist in energy management for commercial tenants.
The app which allows tenants to estimate and compare energy costs will be introduced to tenants, property professionals and government via a series of launches in six capital cities. More at http://bit.ly/133LzKv
Training
- 8-9 August: Introduction to Unix and HPC at Intersect room (UNSW only). Register at http://intersect-11.eventbrite.com.au.
- 15 August: Data Visualisation with Google Fusion Tables at Intersect. Please register at http://intersect-26.eventbrite.com.au.
- 15 August: Cleaning and exploring your data with Open Refine at Intersect. Register at http://intersect-25.eventbrite.com.au
- 16 August: UNSW – Parallel Programming for HPC (Advanced)” at Intersect (fully booked)
- 23 August: ANDS/Intersect Research Data Management Roundtable: #4 Vocabularies, Ontologies and Data Modeling. More at http://www.ands.org.au/events/index.html. To register contact ingrid.mason@ands.org.au
- 27-28 August: Introduction to Unix and HPC at Intersect.
For more information see https://www.intersect.org.au/training
Recruiting
HPC specialist – We’re seeking a talented systems specialist to support HPC facilities, participate in the design and deployment of the research cloud node, and identify integration opportunities between HPC, storage and cloud computing.
Casual IT Trainer – Seeking exceptional IT PhD candidates from member universities to join our training team as casual tutors to deliver Intersect’s L & D courses. More at https://www.intersect.org.au/casual-it-trainers
New Staff
Intersect welcomes Mohammad Islam as Data Infrastructure Specialist and Richard Northam as RSDI Node Development Manager.