Cambridge Online successfully updates the Data Centre for the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute.

July03, Since 1994 Cambridge Online has worked with the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute to provide the backbone of their computing infrastructure, earning their respect working on small early projects, and now successfully delivering multi-million pound High Performance Computing systems.

Cambridge Online’s consultative approach uses the experience gained with earlier deployments, together with new technology advances and the specific project needs, to design the proposed computing solution. During 2002, Cambridge Online supplied a HP AlphaServer Supercomputer valued at more than £15 million (which included 38 ES45 servers and one 32-cpu GS320 system) and 12 of the latest generation StorageWorks virtual storage arrays, thus more than doubling their compute power and storage capacity.

On site service.

Rapid growth of research at the Sanger Institute has required Cambridge Online to respond with a variety of services to support the evolution of the computing environment.

The new HP AlphaServer Supercomputer was ‘squeezed’ in temporary accommodation in early 2002 until a new facility was completed. Cambridge Online initially designed an optimum configuration for the restricted space, and then in November 2002 worked with the Institute to move the equipment to the new Data Centre, while providing continuing access for the scientists to production systems. At times this required working at evenings and weekends to minimize disruption. The move allowed for re-configuration of systems in additional racking with further expansion in mind.

Phil Butcher, Head of Systems at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, said: "Our mission is to understand genomes -- the DNA code that underlies life, and directs development from a single-cell egg to a fully formed adult. Our compute resources must be similarly adaptable and flexible and capable of development."

The Future.

The current Data Centre is still only a temporary facility, as within 3 years a permanent extension to the Genome Campus will house the equipment. Cambridge Online continues its consulting dialogue with the Sanger Institute to help prepare their IT infrastructure for an exciting future at the forefront of post-genomics research.

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The Sanger Institute is funded by the Wellcome Trust, a research-funding charity with a mission 'to foster and promote research with the aim of improving human and animal health'. Further information can be found at www.wellcome.ac.uk and www.sanger.ac.uk.

Cambridge Online’s Applied Technology Group provides design, delivery, development and support for customers’ IT infrastructure. They have particular expertise in the area of High Performance Technical Computing (HPTC) for the Life Sciences and Biotechnology sectors. More information on Cambridge Online can be found from www.cambridgeonline.net or their switchboard 01223 422600.

Further information on this release can be obtained from Andrew Boddington, Cambridge Online HPTC Business Development, on 07905 923927 or andrew.boddington@cosl.co.uk.