IT Resources
In addition to our data and documentation, Texas Schools Project (TSP) also provides a wealth of resources for use in analysis:
Compute environment
The TSP provides workstations for local researchers and an interactive unix environment for local and remote researchers.
The TSP recently installed a Cray CX-1 cluster to replace its aging job server. The new environment has an interactive node plus seven compute nodes. Each node has two quad-core 3.0ghz CPUS and at least 16 GB of memory. In addition, additional nodes can be added to accommodate future growth.
4 Terabytes of tier-one storage
The TSP utilizes high-speed storage from NetApp in order to meet the demands of intensive computational analysis. The system has two controllers for redundant access and multiple spare drives to provide continuous service in the event of a drive failure. In addition, the system can be scaled up to meet future needs.
7 Terabytes of tier-two storage
Because not all data needs to be maintained on high-speed disk, the TSP also provides 7 Terabytes of slower, but still highly reliable, disk space. Data for inactive projects is periodically stepped-down to tier-two storage, in order to make the most efficient use of the tier-one storage system.
Internal services
The TSP also manages redundant authentication servers, an intranet, and myriad other services to facilitate TSP operations.
Page last updated on July 24, 2009.
