Eliminating the Cut Down from Science for Equality: Policies for Fair HPC Resource Utilization

• In Event: Equality By Design Vs Design For Appropriation In Digital Resource Sharing - I

Abstract

Big data researchers depend on sophisticated infrastructures due to high computational needs. High Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructures are established as centers to meet this demand. Researchers' equal access to these centers is one of the main problems. In the literature, there are some examples of democratization of the HPC resources. However, issues remain regarding the fair scientific utilization of HPC resources. In this study, we investigate the experiences of researchers affiliated with Turkish universities and using HPC centers regarding equality in access. We generate data through semi-structured interviews that are conducted with researchers in Turkey using HPC. The findings of the study show that centers in Turkey do not have a merit system for applications. Every researcher can benefit from the centers equally, but researchers have to endure long queue times due to the crowd. Researchers in provincial universities with limited budgets use central HPC resources with long queue times whereas researchers with budget opportunities tend to establish their own small local centers. These local computing centers used for small-scale research of a small coterie cannot meet the computing needs in large-scale research like national centers. Therefore, we recommend common infrastructure policies respecting fair benefit from resources. This study provides efficient HPC infrastructure utilization design policies to eliminate the discrimination of researchers.

Authors

• Gökçe Nuhoğlu, Middle East Technical University

• Arsev Umur Aydinoglu, Middle East Technical University