Refining the Weather Report with Itanium 2-based Servers
Getting to work in the adverse weather that exists along the edge of the Arctic Circle can be difficult. The ability to understand and accurately predict climate changes in Finland can therefore directly affect both the national economy and people’s daily lifestyle. The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) is relied on to provide accurate forecasts for national news channels and industry groups including civic authorities and agricultural bodies.
As the country’s official centre of meteorology, the FMI’s 300 scientists develop short-term (54 hour) weather forecasts as well as general research to build an understanding of issues like global warming and the northern lights. All its work is based on detailed statistical analysis of huge amounts of data sourced from within Finland and by other European weather centers.
Delivering the best service to Finland
To develop truly accurate predictions, the FMI has always relied on High Performance Computing (HPC) but traditionally shared the only platform in Finland, located at the Central Scientific Computing Centre, with other academic groups. To further its research, the FMI recognized the need to purchase a scalable and reliable HPC solution that would offer any-time access to key data and analysis tools.
After a two-month benchmark process in early 2005, the FMI chose to install two Intel® Itanium® 2 processor-based SGI* Altix* 3700 BX2 machines running Unix*, which proved their value in meeting the Institute’s price performance criteria.
“The faster, more accurate forecasts are already improving public life in Finland,” explains Dr. Johan Silen, IT Director, Finnish Meteorological Institute. “The roads are safer due to better warning of impending storms, for example. These improvements are estimated to have saved the national economy ten times the € 42 million (USD 50 million) that the government invests annually in the FMI.”
Measures of Success
• Intel® Itanium® 2 processor-based HPC solution has delivered a significant boost in accuracy, enabling forecasts to focus on areas of 9 km2 rather than 21 km2, creating more detailed predictions
• Ability to carry out key statistical research in-house on a cost-effective platform means scientists gain better understanding of climate issues
• Excellent scalability of newly installed technology increases the amount of research carried out by FMI to enhance its academic reputation
• Fast processing capabilities of Intel® architecture mean analysis can be carried out three times faster than previously
The increased processing speed of the Intel® Itanium® 2 processor-based platform means analysis can be completed, using its powerful High Resolution Limited Area Model (HIRLAM) software, three times faster than before the August 2005 deployment. Scientists can therefore develop more detailed models in the same time and more than double the level of detail of their predictions.
This increased efficiency has created a double benefit for the FMI by delivering a 15% annual cost saving while boosting the quality and amount of results. The Institute can confidently expect to continue enjoying these features of the new Intel system as its exceptional scalability will enable the system to grow as the FMI expands its research. It also now has the flexibility to prioritize forecasting or research as necessary thanks to the exceptional performance headroom of the Intel® architecture.
“The availability of more detailed forecasts means local governments can more accurately decide when to lay salt on the road before a snow storm and outdoor construction workers know when they can mix cement,” says Dr. Silen. “This ability to stay ahead of changes means Finland’s economy can better withstand the extreme weather that we are prone to.”
Return on Investment
• € 42 million government investment in HPC solution has been repaid x10 in savings made by the national economy thanks to improved weather predictions
• High performance of Intel® architecture has driven 15% yearly savings for FMI
• Intel® Itanium® 2 processors support real time feeding of data into RAM-based databases, improving database response time by 1,000 times and so accelerating test processes and delivery of results
Copyright © 2006 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Intel, the Intel logo, Intel. Leap ahead., Intel. the Leap ahead. logo, Itanium and Itanium Inside are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.
This document is for informational purposes only. INTEL MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS DOCUMENT.
*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
As the country’s official centre of meteorology, the FMI’s 300 scientists develop short-term (54 hour) weather forecasts as well as general research to build an understanding of issues like global warming and the northern lights. All its work is based on detailed statistical analysis of huge amounts of data sourced from within Finland and by other European weather centers.
Delivering the best service to Finland
To develop truly accurate predictions, the FMI has always relied on High Performance Computing (HPC) but traditionally shared the only platform in Finland, located at the Central Scientific Computing Centre, with other academic groups. To further its research, the FMI recognized the need to purchase a scalable and reliable HPC solution that would offer any-time access to key data and analysis tools.
After a two-month benchmark process in early 2005, the FMI chose to install two Intel® Itanium® 2 processor-based SGI* Altix* 3700 BX2 machines running Unix*, which proved their value in meeting the Institute’s price performance criteria.
“The faster, more accurate forecasts are already improving public life in Finland,” explains Dr. Johan Silen, IT Director, Finnish Meteorological Institute. “The roads are safer due to better warning of impending storms, for example. These improvements are estimated to have saved the national economy ten times the € 42 million (USD 50 million) that the government invests annually in the FMI.”
Measures of Success
• Intel® Itanium® 2 processor-based HPC solution has delivered a significant boost in accuracy, enabling forecasts to focus on areas of 9 km2 rather than 21 km2, creating more detailed predictions
• Ability to carry out key statistical research in-house on a cost-effective platform means scientists gain better understanding of climate issues
• Excellent scalability of newly installed technology increases the amount of research carried out by FMI to enhance its academic reputation
• Fast processing capabilities of Intel® architecture mean analysis can be carried out three times faster than previously
The increased processing speed of the Intel® Itanium® 2 processor-based platform means analysis can be completed, using its powerful High Resolution Limited Area Model (HIRLAM) software, three times faster than before the August 2005 deployment. Scientists can therefore develop more detailed models in the same time and more than double the level of detail of their predictions.
This increased efficiency has created a double benefit for the FMI by delivering a 15% annual cost saving while boosting the quality and amount of results. The Institute can confidently expect to continue enjoying these features of the new Intel system as its exceptional scalability will enable the system to grow as the FMI expands its research. It also now has the flexibility to prioritize forecasting or research as necessary thanks to the exceptional performance headroom of the Intel® architecture.
“The availability of more detailed forecasts means local governments can more accurately decide when to lay salt on the road before a snow storm and outdoor construction workers know when they can mix cement,” says Dr. Silen. “This ability to stay ahead of changes means Finland’s economy can better withstand the extreme weather that we are prone to.”
Return on Investment
• € 42 million government investment in HPC solution has been repaid x10 in savings made by the national economy thanks to improved weather predictions
• High performance of Intel® architecture has driven 15% yearly savings for FMI
• Intel® Itanium® 2 processors support real time feeding of data into RAM-based databases, improving database response time by 1,000 times and so accelerating test processes and delivery of results
Copyright © 2006 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Intel, the Intel logo, Intel. Leap ahead., Intel. the Leap ahead. logo, Itanium and Itanium Inside are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.
This document is for informational purposes only. INTEL MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS DOCUMENT.
*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
