Visual SupercomputingVisual SupercomputingTechnologies, ApplicationsTechnologies, Applications

and Challengesand ChallengesK K BrodlieBrodlie , J Brooke , M Chen, D , J Brooke , M Chen, D ChisnallChisnall , A , A FewingsFewings , C Hughes , N W John , , C Hughes , N W John ,

M W Jones , M Riding and N M W Jones , M Riding and N RoardRoard STAR STAR –– State of The Art Report State of The Art ReportEUROGRAPHICS 2004EUROGRAPHICS 2004

Presented byPresented by

Scott GoveScott GoveAlasdair GreenAlasdair Green

Ying Ying NiuNiu

What does the paper say?What does the paper say? Visual SupercomputingVisual Supercomputing Presents an overview of the Presents an overview of the state of the artstate of the art of technologies in of technologies in

hardware and software for visualization, and the impacts of thehardware and software for visualization, and the impacts of theInternet, Grid and mobile technologies to visualization.Internet, Grid and mobile technologies to visualization.

Highlights those latest developments that are relevant, or potentiallyHighlights those latest developments that are relevant, or potentiallyrelevant, to visualization.relevant, to visualization.

Proposes a set of technical challenges in realizing a visualProposes a set of technical challenges in realizing a visualsupercomputing infrastructure that manages visualization tasks insupercomputing infrastructure that manages visualization tasks incomplex networked computing environments, as well as managescomplex networked computing environments, as well as managesusers experience in accessing and interacting with visualizationusers experience in accessing and interacting with visualizationresources.resources.

Suggests the need for the infrastructure for a Visual supercomputerSuggests the need for the infrastructure for a Visual supercomputerneeds to be Autonomic.needs to be Autonomic.

What is visualization?What is visualization?Displayable by ComputerDisplayable by Computer –– Visible to Ones eyes Visible to Ones eyes –– Visible to ones Mind. Visible to ones Mind.

What is visual supercomputing?What is visual supercomputing?

Visual supercomputing incorporates a large collection of hardwareVisual supercomputing incorporates a large collection of hardwaretechnologies and software systems for supporting the computationtechnologies and software systems for supporting the computationand management of visualization tasks.and management of visualization tasks.

scheduling of visualization tasksscheduling of visualization taskshardware and software configurationshardware and software configurationsparallel and distributed computation (grids),parallel and distributed computation (grids),data distributiondata distributioncommunications between different visualization tasks.communications between different visualization tasks.supports user interaction with visualization systems,supports user interaction with visualization systems,manages user experience when accessing and interacting withmanages user experience when accessing and interacting withvisualization resources.visualization resources.

Definition. Visual supercomputing is concerned with the infrastructuraltechnology for supporting visual and interactive computing in general, andvisualization in particular, in complex networked computing environments.

ApplicationsApplications Collaborative VisualizationVideo visualizationMobile visualization

Why is what it says important in relation toWhy is what it says important in relation toVirtual Environments?Virtual Environments?

Immersive Virtual Environments have very highImmersive Virtual Environments have very highcomputational requirements - CAVEScomputational requirements - CAVES

Often function on the brink of modern technology toOften function on the brink of modern technology toachieve realistic resultsachieve realistic results

Commonly they require a powerful computingCommonly they require a powerful computinginfrastructure to run large displaysinfrastructure to run large displays

Such needs are what Visual supercomputing sets out toSuch needs are what Visual supercomputing sets out toaccomplish.accomplish.

-Everyday desktop machines could not cope with such -Everyday desktop machines could not cope with suchhigh computation demandshigh computation demands

Is it a good paper?Is it a good paper?

GoodGood Reason:Reason:

Gives a lot of detailGives a lot of detail Discusses several applicationsDiscusses several applications Includes suggestions for further reading onIncludes suggestions for further reading on

various topics throughout papervarious topics throughout paper Collects too many information, large numberCollects too many information, large number

of references(10pages)of references(10pages)

What does it think is important in the state-of-What does it think is important in the state-of-the-art it surveys and why?the-art it surveys and why? Parallel Processing is becoming a more prominent aspect ofParallel Processing is becoming a more prominent aspect of

supercomputing, and therefore is applicable to Visual supersupercomputing, and therefore is applicable to Visual supercomputing.computing.

Grid computing - adapting applications to grid environment, possibleGrid computing - adapting applications to grid environment, possiblevisual supercomputing can be piggybacked on development of gridvisual supercomputing can be piggybacked on development of gridtechnology so can learn a lot from evolution of grid technologytechnology so can learn a lot from evolution of grid technology

Autonomic computing where computing systems possess theAutonomic computing where computing systems possess thecapability of self-knowing and self management (self administratingcapability of self-knowing and self management (self administratingsystems).systems).

Web visualization two types client side and server side. Server sideWeb visualization two types client side and server side. Server sidelikely to be used for serious attempts at visualizing web services bylikely to be used for serious attempts at visualizing web services bymaking use of visual supercomputing with all processing donemaking use of visual supercomputing with all processing doneserver side.server side.

Collaborative visualization over the web. Sharing of virtualCollaborative visualization over the web. Sharing of virtualworkspace/data processed by Visual supercomputing.workspace/data processed by Visual supercomputing.

Augmented Reality Augmented Reality –– An extension of a Virtual Environment. Where An extension of a Virtual Environment. Wherethe user seethe user see’’s the s the ‘‘realreal’’ world combined with virtual objects. world combined with virtual objects.

What does it say about the likely future of the fieldWhat does it say about the likely future of the fieldit covers? Is there any evidence that this isit covers? Is there any evidence that this ishappening?happening?

Will continue to be a need for parallel computation in the future due toWill continue to be a need for parallel computation in the future due toever larger problems and datasetsever larger problems and datasets

Increased use of autonomic computation, as visualization systems getIncreased use of autonomic computation, as visualization systems getmore complexmore complex

Increased use of visual supercomputing for web visualization as webIncreased use of visual supercomputing for web visualization as weblikely to likely to ‘‘become dominant information highwaybecome dominant information highway’’

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