How Red Hat Enterprise Linux powers the world’s fastest supercomputer and the future of exascale computing

Innovation in computing is fueled by a combination of leading hardware and software–and the latest computing revolution is happening at the exascale level. Exascale machines are capable of performing an exaflop, or one quintillion calculations per second. This marks a new frontier, and one of the leading supercomputers at this level, El Capitan, has set a new benchmark for computational power. The underlying software powering this machine? Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).

Red Hat and supercomputing: A legacy of performance

Red Hat has long been at the forefront of high-performance computing (HPC), providing robust and adaptable open source solutions. Our involvement in the world of supercomputing is driven by its ability to handle massive parallel workloads, exceptional security and enterprise-grade stability, which are crucial for HPCs and scientific computing needs.

By partnering with leaders in technology and government, like Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Red Hat helps organizations create computing environments capable of supporting projects on a monumental scale. These capabilities enable scientists, engineers and researchers to accelerate discoveries across fields, from climate modeling to material science to astrophysics.

El Capitan: The top-ranked supercomputer powered by RHEL

According to the November 2024 TOP500 ranking, a biannual list showcasing the 500 most powerful computer systems in the world, El Capitan–built on RHEL–is the fastest supercomputer in the world. El Capitan, the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) first exascale computer, is based at LLNL and has a peak processing power of over two exaflops per second.

RHEL provides a reliable foundation for El Capitan’s operational needs, supporting workloads in an environment with greater stability and a strong security foundation. This reliability is particularly crucial in supercomputing, where any downtime could lead to costly delays in research, whether for national security or scientific advancement.

Why exascale computing matters

Exascale computing represents more than just a jump in processing power, it’s a gateway to solving the world’s most complex challenges, including those in:

• Scientific research and discovery: With an exaflop of computing power, scientists can run simulations and analyze data like never before.
• Climate modeling: Exascale computing allows for highly detailed climate simulations. By analyzing larger datasets and running more complex models, exascale systems like El Capitan enable researchers to make more accurate climate predictions and solutions.
• National security: Exascale computers are critical in maintaining national security, as they allow nations to test and secure systems without physical deployment.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML): ML models can be trained faster and with greater precision at the exascale level. This leads to advancements in AI technologies that can be applied across industries, from healthcare to autonomous driving.

The future of supercomputing

With exascale systems setting new benchmarks, Red Hat’s technology will continue to support cutting edge innovations by providing enhanced reliability and scalability, allowing researchers and developers to push the boundaries of discovery. As supercomputing evolves, Red Hat remains committed to bridging the needs of today with the ambitions of tomorrow.

El Capitan is a testament to what’s possible when advanced hardware meets the flexible foundation of RHEL. We believe that platforms like RHEL will continue to power the discoveries that will define our future and bring the world’s most challenging problems closer to being solved.

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