Have you ever seen a conference like this? At the “Metaverse” AI conference, participants, dressed in hanfu, the traditional clothing of China's Han ethnic group, can choose their favorite appearance and convene in the two-dimensional setting. But what is cooler than the form is the content of the conference.
Research@ZJU 2.0, a comprehensive online research platform, was officially launched on January 6. Meanwhile, a series of major application achievements, including the “ZJUCloud—Graphics Computing Platform”, the Research Data Platform, and the Research Software Platform, were unveiled.
Research@ZJU 2.0 aims to satisfy the common demands for scientific research in different disciplines in four modules: computing, data, software and application. It includes ZJUCloud—a hybrid crowdfunded platform, a high-speed research network and a massive distributed storage system to meet the needs of the basic environment for high-performance computing in various disciplines.
The “ZJUCloud-Graphics Computing Platform”, jointly created by the University’s Information Technology Center and the State Key Lab of CAD & CG, is a high-performance AI computing cluster for universities. As the first crowdfunded hybrid cloud in the University, it is marked by its low cost, remarkable flexibility and superb integration. It addresses such problems as the yawning gap between peak and valley times and repeated acquisition in research computing resources. It is expected to expand this crowdfunding model from “1+1” to “1+N” so as to fulfill the ever-growing demands of faculty and students alike.
The Research Data Platform integrates the functions of Zhejiang University’s discipline-specific databases, including basic information, data preview, standardized citation and network sharing. At present, nearly 20 discipline-specific databases, such as biology, medicine, pharmacy, agronomy and materials sciences, have been aggregated on the platform. This platform will provide support in computing, storage and security services for faculty and students in the future, thereby promoting cross-disciplinary studies.
The Research Software Platform is based on a high-performance computing platform, including a virtual simulation platform, a licensed software platform, an open-source mirror image platform, a platform for ZJU self-developed software, a container mirror image storehouse, and a GIT platform. Faculty and students will gain easier access to a variety of education software.
（From Information Technology Center, Zhejiang University）