In this course, you will explore operational models for HPC clusters, comparing the benefits, drawbacks, and cost structures of on-premises and cloud solutions. Next, the course focuses on designing an HPC cluster. Using specific requirements—such as software usage frequency, duration, and benchmarks—you will determine the necessary number and performance specifications of critical cluster components like processors, memory, and networking.
For your proposed cluster, you will calculate both investment and operational costs and evaluate various potential solutions. The course also covers essential business management concepts, such as investment evaluation, cost accounting, and decision-making theory neccessary to select the most suitable offer for an HPC cluster.
Recognizing the increasing importance of sustainability and climate change, this module focuses on integrating sustainable practices into HPC operations. You will learn to develop and implement sustainability strategies and gain knowledge of key environmental certifications, including EMAS, ISO 14001, ISO 50001, and the “Blue Angel for Energy-Efficient Data Center Operation.”
Flexible online course: Combination of self-study and live seminars (HLRS Supercomputing Academy)
Learning outcomes
After completing this course, participants will:
- Gain essential business administration knowledge to evaluate offers and make purchasing decisions for HPC clusters.
- Understand the economic and legal implications of on-premises and cloud operational models.
- Learn to design HPC clusters based on specific requirements and calculate investment and operational costs.
- Incorporate sustainability principles into decision-making processes effectively.
Instructor
Dr. Norbert Conrad (HLRS) norbert.conrad(at)hlrs.de
Agenda
- Week 1: Cost Accounting, Decision Theory, Investments
- Week 2: Operational Models, Benchmarks, Licenses, and License Servers
- Week 3: Cluster Design
- Week 4: Sustainability, Data Center Sustainability, Sustainable Procurement, End-of-Life Management, Management Systems (EMAS, ISO Standards), Blue Angel Certification, Change Management
For more information, see the official course website:
https://www.hlrs.de/training/2026/sca-hpcc-akun
Fees
53€ - 1410€
Pre-required logistics
Basic knowledge of processors, memory, networking, and their interactions within HPC clusters.
Familiarity with software, libraries, operating systems, batch systems, and licensing relevant to HPC environments.
Proficiency in working with working on complex Excel or Calc spreadsheets.