Answering the big e-questions

The 7th White Paper of the e-Infrastructure Reflection Group has just been released! It addresses some of the most interesting questions related to new and on-going e-Infrastructure challenges, such as:

-How do we deal with the increasing energy demands of computing?
-What software is needed to fully harness the power of future HPC systems?
-What are the appropriate governance models for e-Infrastructures?
-How can we facilitate access, discovery and sharing of large and diverse sources of scientific data?
-How can we further advance research networks, and adopt and implement new e-Infrastructure services?

Seven topics have been carefully chosen by the e-IRG delegates with innovation providing the common thread throughout the document. “Existing e-Infrastructures need to look with a critical eye at their current governance model when preparing for innovation” says Rosette Vandenbroucke, White Paper editor and e-IRG delegate.

The White Paper 2011 also reflects upon the future role and development of Research networks. A sound development of Authentication, Authorisation and Accounting is also handled as well as Energy and Green IT – an important topic on many management agendas. Supercomputing continues its spearheading innovation, but can we go from T-flops to P-flops and can we really and efficiently use such a computing power? Services are another part of e-Infrastructures of growing importance. Which services should be delivered and with what quality? Finally, the intriguing topic Data infrastructures is addressed, with a few recommendations for the setup of European data infrastructures.

“The e-IRG White Paper 2011, especially the written recommendations in the end of every chapter, should be taken into consideration by governments, in particular ministries responsible for research, funding agencies and the European Commission. It is however also of interest to individual researchers and users of e-Infrastructures as an incentive to let their voices be heard”, says Rosette.

You can access the e-IRG White Paper 2011, at the e-IRG website. A summary of comments gathered during the White Paper consultation phase in spring 2011 is also available on the website.