SCAN EMPOWERS CONSERVATION RESEARCH AT ZSL
Scan Computers (Scan) has deployed a cutting-edge NVIDIA DGX cluster at ZSL to accelerate and empower its conservation research.
Scan has a long history of supporting research institutions that work to advance human knowledge and help address the most pressing environmental and social challenges today. This supercomputing deployment represents the first installation of this type of infrastructure within the conversation sector where its first major focus will be to accelerate analysis of vast quantities of wildlife imagery to better understand the behaviour and movements of these animals, helping the conservation charity’s researchers better understand how climate change and human activity impacts biodiversity.
Scan designed and installed a high-performance cluster based around a pair of NVIDIA DGX H100 AI supercomputers, each of is powered by eight Hopper-based H100 SXM5 GPUs each delivering 16,896 CUDA cores, 528 4th gen Tensor cores and 80GB HBM3 memory. These appliances are connected to a 2PB Supermicro data server powered by the AI-optimised PEAK:AIO software defined storage (SDS) platform. The cluster is completed by NVIDIA Spectrum Ethernet network switches, a UPS and a sound-proofed MicroDC cabinet, developed in conjunction with Cannon Technologies Group, with built-in power delivery and a 30kW cooling system that transfers heat outside the building.
Glenn Conlon, Technical Sales Director at Cannon said “We are excited to collaborate with Scan and ZSL on this pioneering project, utilising Cannon Technologies' MicroDC solution to support high-performance computing in conservation research. The MicroDC's advanced 30kW high-density compute cooling, coupled with remote monitoring and an internal fire suppressant system, ensures that ZSL's NVIDIA DGX cluster operates with maximum efficiency and security. This robust infrastructure allows researchers to accelerate their analysis of wildlife data, providing the critical insights needed to address the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss. We are proud to contribute to ZSL's mission and look forward to the significant advancements this technology will enable in conservation science.”
Alongside NVIDIA Basecamp orchestration software and the NVIDIA AI Enterprise framework, the cluster is additionally overlaid with Run:ai cluster management software enabling maximum utilisation of the combined GPU resource from the servers and workstations and providing advanced dynamic allocation and scheduling features.
The AI cluster is supported by ten 3XS Systems AI workstations powered by NVIDIA RTX Ada GPUs, for developmental work; and a 1.6PB data archive solution to address the whole infrastructure.
Dan Parkinson, Director of Collaboration at Scan said “Our previous deployments of accelerated image analysis solutions have worked wonders in the healthcare sectors, so we are excited to be part of a project to bring this technology to the zoological space. This cutting-edge platform will enable automated analysis of still and video footage, accelerating ZSL research efforts and resulting in much faster learnings and better correlation of results across vast databases. We look forward to seeing the insights this solution will deliver.”
Professor Chris Carbone at ZSL’s Institute of Zoology added “The biodiversity crisis is one of the biggest challenges that humanity is currently facing, and across ZSL we’re working at the forefront of understanding and tackling this devastating loss of nature across the globe. From water-cleaning oysters to carbon-capturing mangroves, protecting the natural world means protecting a better future for us all. Being able to analyse large amounts of data rapidly is key to strengthening the knowledge base needed to drive evidence-based conservation, and we’re excited to continue our work with the support of this additional processing power.”
Scan and ZSL intend to publish numerous case studies arising from the use of the DGX AI supercomputing cluster in the coming months and years. Once available these can be viewed on the Scan case study index page.
About Scan
At Scan we are all about three things – technology, people, and how we bring them together and for over 30 years we’ve been driven by these three passions. We work with customers and partners to tackle the latest cutting-edge areas in IT and bridge the gap these challenges present.
Building on our reputation within the computing industry, we have used this knowledge and experience to provide specialist IT solutions for business verticals including deep learning and AI, healthcare, financial services, retail, education, AEC and manufacturing.
About Cannon Technologies
Established over 40 years ago, Cannon Technologies specialise in the design, manufacture and delivery of Micro to Multi Megawatt Data Centres for Core to Edge facilities around the world. Cannon is viewed by its peers as a global leader and is a multiple award winner with successful projects, delivered to; Financial, Data Centre, Transportation, Industrial, Government and Military sectors.
Today, Cannon Technologies is a world leader and known for its’ high level of investment in R&D product development. Visit https://cannontech.co.uk/ for more information.
About ZSL
Founded in 1826, ZSL is an international conservation charity, driven by science, working to restore wildlife in the UK and around the world; by protecting critical species, restoring ecosystems, helping people and wildlife live together and inspiring support for nature. Through our leading conservation zoos, London and Whipsnade, we bring people closer to nature and use our expertise to protect wildlife today, while inspiring a lifelong love of animals in the conservationists of tomorrow. Visit https://www.zsl.org for more information.
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