- The University of Würzburg benefits from a powerful HPC infrastructure for complex AI and data research.
- The AI cluster sets new standards in cutting-edge research and marks the culmination of the 50-year success story of the university’s data center.
- CANCOM worked closely with partners to develop a future-proof AI infrastructure that is specifically tailored to the demanding needs of the university on the Hubland North campus.
The Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU) officially launched its new high-performance computing (HPC) cluster ‘Julia 2’ on November 27, 2024. The inauguration took place as part of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the university’s data center. With this AI cluster, the university is setting new standards in research and teaching, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence, machine learning and deep learning. CANCOM, as a strategic IT service provider and AI enabler, took on the design and implementation of the project together with partners Dell and Vertiv. The result is a powerful and future-proof system that enables the university to implement complex AI projects.
CANCOM, together with technology partners Dell, NVIDIA, Vertiv, Intel and AMD, is providing a comprehensive HPC system that meets the university’s specific requirements. The cluster was set up under the existing server framework agreement with the Free State of Bavaria. CANCOM took on the holistic project management – from analysis and conception to implementation and provision of the systems. As part of the project, a new server room was built on the Hubland Nord campus, which is specially designed to meet the high demands of HPC and AI applications. A total of 12 water-cooled rack systems were installed, equipped with 160 powerful graphics cards. This architecture provides the computing capacity needed to efficiently run data-intensive applications in the areas of machine learning, deep learning, and artificial intelligence.
“By expanding our AI infrastructure, we are setting new standards for research at our university,” explains Prof. Dr. Andreas Hotho, head of the Chair of Computer Science X (Data Science) and spokesperson for the CAIDAS. ‘’Julia 2′ is a central building block for our work and opens up completely new possibilities for us in AI research.”
“With ‘Julia 2’, we are now offering JMU an infrastructure that is indispensable, particularly for research in the field of AI and data science. CANCOM has provided us with optimal support in this endeavor with its expertise and a comprehensive technology portfolio,” adds Matthias Funken, head of the data center and CIO of the Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg.
Technology for sustainable research
“The realization of the AI cluster shows how we use our expertise in artificial intelligence to develop IT solutions that can create real added value for research institutions,” explains Jochen Borenich, CSO at CANCOM. ”With the data center, the University of Würzburg can meet the growing challenges in science and drive AI-based innovations forward.”
The new HPC system will support the university’s research work in numerous disciplines. In particular, at the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (CAIDAS), ‘Julia 2’ forms the basis for scientific projects dealing with complex data analysis and the development of new AI algorithms.
The AI cluster is based on the latest technology, which was obtained through the existing server framework contract of the Free State of Bavaria. The integration of Dell servers, NVIDIA graphics cards and other high-performance data center components from Dell, Vertiv and Intel has created an environment that is optimally aligned with the requirements of AI applications.
“With the AI cluster, we have created a powerful system that offers researchers at the University of Würzburg a flexible and high-performance infrastructure,” explains Borenich. ”This project shows how forward-looking IT solutions can be implemented in science, and we are proud to be part of this success story.”
50 years of IT innovation at the University of Würzburg
The inauguration of ‘Julia 2’ coincides with the 50th anniversary of the University of Würzburg’s computing centre. CANCOM congratulates the university on this milestone and sees itself as a strategic partner for the university’s future IT projects.
“By operating high-performance computing systems such as ‘Julia 2’, the data center is making a significant contribution to strengthening the University of Würzburg as a center of innovation. CANCOM will continue to support the university in continuously expanding its technological base and in making optimal use of the advantages of artificial intelligence as a driving force for research and innovation,” emphasizes Borenich in conclusion.
Further details can be found in the official press release from the University of Würzburg.