AWS’s new managed service, AWS Parallel Computing Service, makes high-performance computing (HPC) more accessible to a broader range of enterprises. Traditionally, HPC required specialized skills to set up and manage the computing environment, involving dedicated systems administrators and high capital expenditures.
AWS Parallel Computing Service simplifies this through a fully managed solution that reduces the complexity of accessing HPC resources. Customers can run compute-intensive workloads on demand using AWS’s infrastructure without needing to hire or train specialized personnel.
Companies can then focus on their core competencies while AWS manages the underlying technology, which is especially valuable for organizations looking to leverage HPC for tasks like large-scale simulations, machine learning model training, or complex data analysis.
How easier HPC access is fueling faster innovation
Boosting innovation in science and tech with AWS
AWS’s service makes high-performance computing more accessible, accelerating innovation in sectors that have traditionally depended on HPC clusters, such as pharmaceuticals, engineering, and advanced manufacturing. Previously, these organizations faced hurdles like high costs and complexity in managing HPC environments, limiting their use to only essential applications.
AWS makes it possible for smaller companies and teams to leverage HPC resources without worrying about the cost or complexity of setting up their own clusters. As a result, AWS’s service encourages more experimentation and builds up a culture of innovation by providing the required tools and infrastructure to test new ideas quickly and at scale.
No more barriers to experimentation with AWS HPC
AWS’s HPC service addresses two major barriers to entry: administrative overhead and capital investment. Traditionally, organizations needed to make large upfront investments in HPC hardware, often running into the millions of dollars.
AWS eliminates this barrier by offering a pay-as-you-go model, where customers only pay for the resources they use.
This provides flexibility to experiment without large financial or technical commitments, allowing for rapid testing of hypotheses, product designs, or data models. For example, companies can scale up their HPC usage to thousands of nodes for a brief period to test a specific workload, reducing the time and cost associated with experimentation.
Inside the features of AWS’s HPC service
Building and managing HPC clusters
AWS provides a suite of tools that simplify the setup and management of HPC clusters. Customers can easily manage Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) instances, leveraging AWS’s global infrastructure to access powerful computing resources.
AWS uses Slurm, an open-source HPC workload manager, to orchestrate and maintain these clusters, automating many of the complex tasks associated with HPC management.
Customers no longer need to employ specialized system administrators or network professionals, making HPC more accessible to organizations without deep technical expertise. The focus shifts from managing infrastructure to using it effectively for business or research purposes.
Integration and compatibility for your workflows
AWS’s service integrates with existing AWS tools, such as the Management Console and software development kits, for a more seamless transition for users already familiar with the AWS ecosystem.
Organizations can migrate existing HPC workflows to AWS without the need for major reengineering, preserving their current investments in software and workflows.
The service also supports API connectivity, letting enterprises connect their existing systems directly to AWS’s HPC clusters—making sure companies can improve their current HPC usage without encountering compatibility issues—reducing the time and effort required to fully leverage the cloud.
Easing HPC cluster management
AWS Parallel Computing Service provides full offloading of Slurm management, which greatly reduces the technical workload for customers.
Instead of focusing on the intricate details of cluster management, organizations can rely on AWS to handle cluster setup, maintenance, and scaling—freeing up internal resources to focus on core tasks, such as research and development, rather than managing the infrastructure.
Where AWS HPC is available and who’s already using it
AWS initially rolled out its HPC service in select regions, including Ohio, Northern Virginia, and Oregon in the USA; Frankfurt, Stockholm, and Ireland in Europe; and Sydney, Singapore, and Tokyo in the Asia-Pacific.
Regional availability targets major markets with a high demand for HPC resources, so that companies in these areas can immediately start using the service.
Marvel Fusion, a German-based company, uses AWS’s HPC service for research into unlimited zero-emissions energy, leveraging the flexibility and power of cloud-based supercomputing to push the boundaries of their research. In Australia, Ronin employs the service to run complex HPC simulations on the cloud, reducing the need for expensive on-premises infrastructure.
Who used to use HPC and how that’s changing
High-performance computing was historically limited to government labs and large corporations that could afford to build and maintain their supercomputing facilities. Companies like AMD, Intel, Nvidia, and IBM have long competed to develop more powerful supercomputers, primarily for government and scientific clients.
Today, HPC is becoming more accessible due to the emergence of cloud-based services, making it possible for smaller companies, research institutions, and even startups to access supercomputing resources.
Cloud providers are betting big on HPC services
Cloud providers such as AWS, Google, Microsoft Azure, and Penguin Computing on Demand are driving the growth of “HPC-as-a-service.” The increase in use cases across industries is prompting more providers to offer HPC services, capitalizing on the demand for scalable and flexible supercomputing resources.
Industry analysts anticipate increased competition and innovation in HPC service offerings. New entrants are likely to provide novel ways to access GPUs, servers, and specialized hardware, making HPC more versatile and accessible than ever before.
How democratizing HPC access is disrupting the market
Making HPC resources more accessible reduces the waiting time for access to supercomputers. For example, the Hewlett Packard Frontier supercomputer in Tennessee can take months to become available for use.
AWS and other providers help alleviate these delays, giving businesses and researchers faster access to the computational power they need.
Democratization of HPC empowers a wider range of users to run experiments and predictions, increasing the efficiency and impact of research activities. Broader access supports diverse industries in innovating faster, driving advancements in science, technology, and beyond.
