Large Hadron Collider runs Linux
Linux called into service for project that can’t afford a Blue Screen of Death.
The $10 billion Large Hadron Collider (LHC) project which fired its first shot yesterday around its 27km circuit, runs Linux.
InternetNews’ Sean Michael Kerner blogs that CERN, “which is the organisation that runs the LHC project is using something called CernVM which is is custom Linux distribution. According to VMware, CernVM runs inside of VMware virtual machines that include PC and Macs across a grid that encompasses the power of approximately 40 000 CPUs and some 15 petabytes of data a year.”
CERN is also a backer of the Scientific Linux distribution on which the LHC project is apparently based.
More at InternetNews.com.
For the best pictures of the LHC visit The Boston Globe’s impressive photo gallery.
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6 Responses to “Large Hadron Collider runs Linux”
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September 11th, 2008 @ 3:06 pm
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September 11th, 2008 @ 3:38 pm
Of course it runs Linux, what kind of scientific institution would not?
September 11th, 2008 @ 5:21 pm
I suppose the basic question is, “What is the vmware hosted on?”
September 13th, 2008 @ 9:12 am
I wonder if they’re using Zen.
So they can’t afford any BSoD’s? I guess a kernel panic is cheaper. I bet Bill Gates is thrilled, because if they blow up the earth like the media keeps announcing, then Bill Gates will be happy that it wasn’t his fault.
Actually, I am kind of surprised to hear they are using only Linux. Lately Windows blue screens have been a thing of the past, unless something goes horribly wrong in hardware. And now with Server ’08 SP1, you can change all your hardware out without having to put on new drivers before removing the old hardware (or reinstalling if you didn’t). That makes it a snap to upgrade or revive a dead system where components may be outdated.
September 13th, 2008 @ 9:22 am
Would you be bold enough to attach a $10Billion LHC to anything else?
September 14th, 2008 @ 3:09 pm
I had way less problems with Debian Linux so far than with Windows. I was not impressed with Linux for the first 7 years of its existence. And trust me, I was one of the naysayers and a Microsoft sheep. However, for the last few years , Linux redeemed itself to a point that I’m actually impressed.
I used to manage Vista and “Server 08″ at an institution only for it to be immediately thrown out of commission. That trial only ran for 2 months and everyone got sick and tired as we knew that computing efficiency wasn’t at it’s best.
And yes, you can install new hardware before installing drivers… especially in Debian. Works flawlessly too.
I do agree that Windows got somewhat more stable, time after time. However, the system requirements for doing basic computing tasks have become an issue.
I’m not surprised that they’re using Linux. At least it’s open source and they correct the faults right at the source without “Billy Bobidy Boo” Bill Gates knocking at the door with his lawyers.