SC 2004 Bandwidth Challenge Call For Participation

Supercomputing 2004 Bandwitdh Challenge Call For Participation

Networks are an integral piece of modern high performance computing. The ability to maximize the network throughput is often essential to the success of high performance computation. The Bandwidth Challenge challenges participants to push the envelope in terms of network throughput as it relates to high performance computing.

For SC 2004 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania SCinet expects to 8 OC-192c circuits into the convention center. This kind of bandwidth exceeds the available bandwidth into and out all but the largest countries in the world.

The challenge is to present a real application that requires massive network resources and demonstrate it during SC 2004. The following criteria will be used to judge entries:

1. The sustained throughput
2. The scientific merit or real world applicability of the application
3. The use of innovative and fair TCP and non-TCP implementations
4. The physical distance between involved sites and the associated latency
5. The use of emerging or underutilized technologies such as IPv6 and IP mulitcast.

The throughput will be verified using high performance monitoring gear, provided by Spirent Communications. Separate awards will be made for the best TCP and the best non-TCP application throughput.

The Bandwidth Challenge is a collaboration between SC, SCinet and Qwest Communications. Qwest Communications is generously providing a monetary prize for the winning entry. This is the fifth annual Bandwidth Challenge, the winning aplication in last year's Bandwidth Challenge reached 23.21 Gb/s of TCP throughput.

The deadline for submitting a full entry to the Bandwith Challenge is September 1, 2004. However, in order to included in the final SC 2004 program an abstract must be submitted by July 26, 2004. All submissions must be made through the following website:

Contestants with special requirements, particularly in terms of networking, are urged to contact SCinet sooner rather than later. SCinet is responsible for all aspects of networking at SC 2004 and provides technical support to applicants, make arrangements for equipment and may be able provide rack space to support entries.

Please contact bwc@scinet.supercomp.org for further information.