Broadcom Case Studies Brocade Helps Nikhef Discover Secrets of the Universe

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	Brocade Helps Nikhef Discover Secrets of the Universe Broadcom

Brocade Helps Nikhef Discover Secrets of the Universe

Broadcom

Technology Category	Networks & Connectivity - Ethernet Networks & Connectivity - Network Management & Analysis Software
Applicable Industries	Education
Applicable Functions	Product Research & Development
Services	System Integration
Challenge	Nikhef, the National Institute for Subatomic Physics, carries out research in the area of astroparticle physics. The organization's work has contributed to the study of the smallest particles of matter and the forces between them in the collision process within large particle accelerators. This includes helping to prepare experiments in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) particle accelerator at the famed CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) facility in Geneva. Nikhef needed a network upgrade that would support thousands of researchers worldwide and provide enough storage capacity, computing power, and bandwidth for future needs. The organization was also looking for IPv6 support. Read More
About Customer	The National Institute for Subatomic Physics, known as Nikhef, is a Dutch research organization that carries out research in the area of astroparticle physics. Located at Science Park Amsterdam, Nikhef is a partnership between the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM) and four universities, including the University of Amsterdam. Nikhef’s work has contributed to the study of the smallest particles of matter and the forces between them in the collision process within large particle accelerators. This includes helping to prepare experiments in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) particle accelerator at the famed CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) facility in Geneva. In addition, Nikhef has played a significant role in the field of networking as a co-founder of the Amsterdam Internet Exchange (AMS-IX), the second-largest Internet exchange in the world (based on throughput traffic). Read More
Solution	To support its bandwidth, computing, and other requirements, Nikhef selected Brocade MLX Series routers, which provide extremely high levels of scalability, performance, reliability, and all-important cost-saving operational efficiency. Nikhef also added four Brocade FCX Series 48-port edge switches, which feature advanced Layer 2 switching. The organization deployed the Brocade FCX switches with 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) modules to deliver even more bandwidth and performance. After a six-week testing period, the new network was rolled out and running. According to Dr. David Groep, Senior Research Scientist, Grid Computing, at Nikhef, the impact of the Brocade FCX edge switches was felt immediately, as Nikhef gained enough computing capacity to support its ATLAS program at CERN. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Networks & Connectivity - Ethernet

Networks & Connectivity - Network Management & Analysis Software

Applicable Industries

Education

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Services

System Integration

Challenge

Nikhef, the National Institute for Subatomic Physics, carries out research in the area of astroparticle physics. The organization's work has contributed to the study of the smallest particles of matter and the forces between them in the collision process within large particle accelerators. This includes helping to prepare experiments in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) particle accelerator at the famed CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) facility in Geneva. Nikhef needed a network upgrade that would support thousands of researchers worldwide and provide enough storage capacity, computing power, and bandwidth for future needs. The organization was also looking for IPv6 support.

About Customer

The National Institute for Subatomic Physics, known as Nikhef, is a Dutch research organization that carries out research in the area of astroparticle physics. Located at Science Park Amsterdam, Nikhef is a partnership between the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM) and four universities, including the University of Amsterdam. Nikhef’s work has contributed to the study of the smallest particles of matter and the forces between them in the collision process within large particle accelerators. This includes helping to prepare experiments in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) particle accelerator at the famed CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) facility in Geneva. In addition, Nikhef has played a significant role in the field of networking as a co-founder of the Amsterdam Internet Exchange (AMS-IX), the second-largest Internet exchange in the world (based on throughput traffic).

Solution

To support its bandwidth, computing, and other requirements, Nikhef selected Brocade MLX Series routers, which provide extremely high levels of scalability, performance, reliability, and all-important cost-saving operational efficiency. Nikhef also added four Brocade FCX Series 48-port edge switches, which feature advanced Layer 2 switching. The organization deployed the Brocade FCX switches with 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) modules to deliver even more bandwidth and performance. After a six-week testing period, the new network was rolled out and running. According to Dr. David Groep, Senior Research Scientist, Grid Computing, at Nikhef, the impact of the Brocade FCX edge switches was felt immediately, as Nikhef gained enough computing capacity to support its ATLAS program at CERN.

Impact #1	Built a reliable HPC environment capable of supporting thousands of scientists and engineers
Impact #2	Gained the ability to analyze and process more than 15 petabytes of data annually
Impact #3	Completed a network upgrade to 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) in less than six weeks

Impact #1

Built a reliable HPC environment capable of supporting thousands of scientists and engineers

Impact #2

Gained the ability to analyze and process more than 15 petabytes of data annually

Impact #3

Completed a network upgrade to 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) in less than six weeks

Benefit #1	Increased processing and storage capabilities by up to 30 percent
Benefit #2	Analyze and process more than 15 petabytes of data annually

Benefit #1

Increased processing and storage capabilities by up to 30 percent

Benefit #2

Analyze and process more than 15 petabytes of data annually

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Overview

Brocade Helps Nikhef Discover Secrets of the Universe

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit