Integration of the JINR hybrid computing resources with the DIRAC interware for data intensive applications

Abstract

Scientific data and computing-intensive applications become more and more widely used. Different computing solutions have different protocols and architectures, they should be chosen carefully in the design of computing projects of large scientific communities. In a modern world of diverse computing resources such as grids, clouds, and supercomputers the choice can be difficult. Therefore, software developed for integration of various computing and storage resources into a single infrastructure, the so-called interware, makes this choice easier. The DIRAC interware is one of these products. It proved to be an effective solution for many experiments in High Energy Physics and some other areas of science providing means for seamless access to distributed computing and storage resources. The DIRAC interware was deployed in the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research to serve the needs of different scientific groups by providing a single interface to a variety of computing resources: grid cluster, computing cloud, supercomputer Govorun, disk and tape storage systems. The DIRAC based solution was proposed for the currently operational Baryonic Matter at Nuclotron experiment as well as for the future experiment Multi-Purpose Detector at the Nuclotron-based Ion Collider fAcility. Both experiments have requirements making the use of heterogeneous computing resources necessary. A set of tests was introduced in order to demonstrate the performance of the JINR distributed computing system.