V. Division Computing and Administrative Services
1. Division Computing
During FY 99, the System Management Group (SMG), lead by Patricia Waukau undertook several projects. Early in FY 99, the division received several new systems as part of the Compaq, iMSC, NCAR, and Advanced Research Alliance (CiNA) Project. Systems included one 8-processor shared memory system, a four-node, 16-processor cluster system, an eight-node, 32-processor cluster system, three 4-processor pedestal systems, and thirty-eight workstations. Waukau worked with William Boyd to install and configure the multi-processor systems. Jody Williams assisted them in the installation of the desktop workstations. All of these systems were brought on line in less than a month. These systems significantly increased to the division's computational power. Over the course of the year accounts have also been added for staff members throughout the organization to allow them to gain experience with OpenMP and MPI coding techniques, in addition to benchmarking their codes. Recently, replacements were received for the pedestal systems, the 8-processor shared memory system, and the small cluster. The faster chips in the new systems are showing at least a 1.5 times increase in performance. During FY 00, a replacement of the large cluster system, which will include newer cluster technology, will be received.
During FY 99 the divisional WWW site was evaluated for its presentation, organization, and ease of use. With input from a core group of staff, the layout of the web site was completely restructured and redesigned. Boyd was the primary developer in this project, with Williams and Jose Castilleja assisting in revising numerous pages for the site. James Pasquotto of the administrative staff was responsible for collecting and formatting the images for the home page. Gradual conversion of pages to conform to the new design is ongoing for various MMM staff members.
In January 1999 the SMG began gathering information for all systems to determine their Y2K compatibility status. A Y2K Compliance Plan was drafted and accepted. Components of this plan were implemented throughout the year, with the final portions scheduled for completion in early FY 00.
In the latter part of FY 99, several projects were initiated. Preliminary plans and scheduling were developed for the Millennium Infrastructure Network Technology (MINT) Project to upgrade the networking infrastructure of the Foothills Laboratory. Actual work in the space occupied by the MMM Division will begin in the summer of 2000. Waukau worked with Facilities and an outside engineering firm to design a remodel of the existing computer room, primarily to replace an aging air conditioning system and to provide space to accommodate larger systems. Construction on this project will begin in early FY 00. In late FY 99, the SMG began collecting information and researching new technology in preparation for developing a desktop-computing plan. The purpose of this effort is to develop a systematic approach for upgrading desktop systems on a rotating basis to keep abreast of evolving technology.
2. Administrative Services
The administrative staff of MMM continued to support the four primary service areas, Science and Service Activities, Finance and Grants Administration, Administrative Systems and Office Computing, and Budget, Planning, and Human Resources, outlined in last year's Annual Scientific Report (ASR). Certain areas received particular attention including the development of two significant databases, the improvement of travel financial records, the refinement of workshop procedures, the enhancement of the division's address database, and improvements in the division's records management.
Joan Chiszar, Sudie Kelly, and James Pasquotto developed the Community Service and Educational Outreach database. This database was primarily designed to provide statistics that contribute to the production of the ASR. Stacey Applen and Kathleen Morgan developed a Proposal database designed to track all data associated with the division's external funding. Pasquotto made available for Web access the division's address file containing over 4,000 records. Pasquotto also redesigned the MMM Seminar Series web site (http://box.mmm.ucar.edu/sem/seminars.html). Martine Bunting and Morgan worked with staff of the UCAR Information Technology group to augment reports for tracking the division's travel expenses. Carolyn Bousquet prepared a packet of tips and guidelines for the coordination of a successful conference. This tool and other administrative processes will be used to further refine the support provided to the division's workshops and tutorials conducted several times during the year. Kelly worked extensively with division staff to purge and archive significant quantities of administrative records and scientific data.
Preliminary work began in the areas of Web site enhancements, and recycling and ergonomics awareness. These areas will be pursued more extensively in FY 00 along with plans for moves associated with the MINT project (referred to in the previous Division Computing section), procedures for workshops and tutorials, and enhancements and maintenance of the above mentioned databases and web sites.
