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Simulation as a Service: A Cloud-Based Framework to Support the Educational Use of Scientific Software. Tom Bitterman , Da C ai , Dave Hudak , Rajiv Ramnath , Jay Ramanathan, Belinda Zhang. Introduction. Simulation as a Service Polymer Portal Overview
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Simulation as a Service: A Cloud-Based Framework to Support the Educational Use of Scientific Software Tom Bitterman, Da Cai, Dave Hudak, Rajiv Ramnath, Jay Ramanathan, Belinda Zhang
Introduction • Simulation as a Service • Polymer Portal Overview • Polymer Portal Requirements and Challenges • Polymer Portal Architecture and Implementation • Evaluation and Conclusions
Simulation as a Service • Simulation software is • expensive to purchase • difficult to install and maintain • complicated to run • Potential users need • to train on the software before purchase • to be able to buy just as much as they need • Offering simulation software as a service is a good fit
Users and Uses • We were required to support both academic and industrial users • There were both similarities and differences in how each group wanted to use the system
Common Requirements • Support for a variety of packages • Remote access • Ease of use • Ability to handle large-scale simulations • Secure • Reasonable cost
Solution Features • E-Catalog - provided • User-friendly interface metaphor • Collaboration (forums, wikis) • Educational and training resources • Access to purchased services • E-commerce capability • Single sign-on - enabled • simplified user experience • single point of entrance
Solution Features (contd.) • Cloud environment – support for • heterogeneous environments (Windows, Linux) • scaling to large problems • uneven load schedules • wide variety of software • interface to HPC environment
Architecture • E-Catalog • Own web content • Drupal, Moodle • External account • OSC cloud services • Data transfer • SSH and VNC to HPC • RDP to Windows • Common storage • Common authentication • Common accounting
Polymer Portal • Provides polymer companies with software and training for modeling and simulation https://polymerportal.osc.edu/ • Established with Polymer Ohio as part of the NIST MEP grant • Takes advantage of educational materials created under an NSF grant • Application Services • Windows GUI applications: Moldex 3D, Ludovic, Avercast • Web applications: PFAST, Polymer Properties Predictor
Results • We have offered training courses • they have been well attended • user feedback has been positive • support for both industrial and academic users • Industrial use is just beginning • Currently expanding software offerings
Application Service Case Study: PFAST • Production Flow Analysis and Simulation Tool • Dr. Irani, Industrial, Welding and Systems Engineering, OSU • Industrial Engineering • design of manufacturing cells and facility layout design • Original application: Microsoft Visual C++ • OSC services provides • Web-based user interface • E-catalog access • Secure access for multiple users