PARIS — In a significant development in high-performance computing, CEA and Eviden, a division of Atos, have announced the successful installation of the EXA1 HE (High Efficiency) supercomputer. This advanced system, based on Eviden’s cutting-edge BullSequana XH3000 technology, marks a pivotal advancement in the EXA1 program, primarily serving the Simulation program run by CEA’s Military Applications Division, according to a press release published on EuropaWire.

The EXA1 HE supercomputer not only complements its predecessor, the EXA1 HF (High-Frequency), delivered in 2021 but also significantly advances in performance and efficiency. Boasting a peak performance of 104 Petaflops and achieving approximately 60 Petaflops on the Linpack benchmark, the EXA1 HE ranks as the equivalent of the 15th most powerful supercomputer globally according to the November 2023 TOP500 list.

At the core of EXA1 HE’s innovation is its architecture and cooling system. The system incorporates 477 compute nodes that utilize NVIDIA’s Grace Hopper Superchips, enhanced by a patented warm-water cooling system. Additionally, its network features the latest version of Eviden’s BullSequana eXascale Interconnect (BXI) system, employing a sophisticated DragonFly topology with 156 switches. This setup is not only efficient but also marks the first BXI accelerated computer, setting a foundation for future exaflop-class and AI systems.

Emmanuel Le Roux, SVP and Global Head of HPC, AI, and Quantum at Eviden, emphasized the importance of the collaboration, stating, “We are deeply honored by this contract with the CEA, which is once again showing its confidence in Eviden, by continuing the EXA1 program with the Group’s teams and thus extending a relationship that has lasted for more than 20 years.” He highlighted the role of these ‘Made in Europe’ systems in supporting both private and public sectors in maintaining security and sovereignty.

Jacques-Charles Lafoucriere, Program Director at CEA’s Military Applications Directorate, expressed satisfaction with the deployment, noting, “With the first applications having already been run on it through best-in-class accelerated technologies that have also been chosen for Exascale systems, CEA’s Military Applications Division will be able to meet its HPC and AI needs for the future challenges of its Simulation program.”

The EXA1 HE supercomputer is a testament to the ongoing efforts to enhance the computational capabilities essential for defense and research, ensuring that simulations remain robust and energy-efficient. This initiative not only supports the specific needs of CEA’s military programs but also contributes broadly to technological advancement and sustainability in high-performance computing.