Minnesota Supercomputer Institute

Scientific Development and Visualization Laboratory

The primary mission of the Scientific Development and Visualization Laboratory (SDVL) is to enhance the Supercomputing Institute by providing its researchers access to current supporting technology and expertise necessary to carry out successful state-of-the-art supercomputing. The SDVL should be a place where University researchers can work with staff and facilities to enhance the effectiveness of their computations on supercomputer systems. Since supercomputing is increasingly concerned with large, complex data sets that require application of sophisticated multidimensional visualization strategies, a central function of the SDVL is to maintain an environment where researchers can interactively visualize their supercomputer-generated data in the most up-to-date manner. While the SDVL does not exist expressly for research in visualization technology, it should work closely with investigators in that area so that it provides Supercomputing Institute researchers, across a wide range of disciplines, the most effective visualization hardware and software. A second central function for the SDVL is to provide individual University researchers with access to expertise in high performance computing so that they can develop the skills to begin supercomputing themselves or become familiar with these computing technologies for use in their own laboratories.

The Supercomputing Institute Scientific Development and Visualization Laboratory, which is located on the fifth floor of the Walter Library near the Institute's systems and user support staff, provides Institute researchers with access to SGI, SUN and Linux workstations, an 8 processor Quantumcube system, Macintosh workstations, PCs, 3D LCD panel for autostereo display, hardware and software for the production of short videos, and associated software and technical support.

Hardware

For a list of machines available at the SDVL, see the hardware page.

Software

For a listing of software titles available at the SDVL, see the software page.

Policies and Procedures

The policies and procedures page details policies specific to the SDVL.

Technical Information

Information on using the machines in the SDVL is available on the technical information page.

General Information

Information about the location, hours, access and other topics for the SDVL is found on the general information page.

Legacy Information

The Institute is in the process of updating its web pages. If you cannot find what you need here, you can try previous version of this page.