Abstract
This report highlights significant strides made by Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Oak Ridge Leadership
Computing Facility (OLCF) in advancing computational research and infrastructure. Through the Advanced
Computing Ecosystem (ACE) strategic initiative, OLCF has been successfully integrated with DOE’s
Integrated Research Infrastructure (IRI) program, establishing itself as a critical framework for enhancing
scientific computing capabilities across various domains. This report outlines the activities, accomplishments,
and future directions of ACE, emphasizing its role in developing cutting-edge technologies, supporting
science pilots, and fostering collaborations that drive scientific innovation.
One of the key achievements of ACE in FY24 has been the establishment of a robust testbed environment
that facilitates the development and validation of new computing technologies. This testbed, integrated
into the larger IRI ecosystem through Energy Sciences Network (ESnet), allows for seamless collaboration
among DOE’s Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) facilities, including the Argonne Leadership
Computing Facility (ALCF), the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC), and
Jefferson Lab (JLab). The testbed has been instrumental in enabling science pilots to experiment with
innovative methodologies in a controlled environment, thereby accelerating the translation of research into
practical applications.
ACE has been instrumental in advancing a series of science pilots using computational resources from
OLCF. These pilots span a wide range of scientific domains, from basic energy sciences to biological and
environmental research, demonstrating the versatility and impact of the ACE framework. By integrating
cutting-edge technologies, such as AI-driven analytics and real-time data processing, with HPC, these pilots
have enabled significant advancements in scientific workflows. For instance, projects like LCLStream
and DELERIA have showcased the potential of ACE in optimizing experimental designs, accelerating
data analysis, and driving innovations that are critical for addressing some of the most complex scientific
challenges of IRI pathfinder projects.
ACE has also made significant progress in foundational technology development, particularly in areas such
as data movement, interface design, and scheduling. These advancements have been key in addressing
the complex requirements of modern scientific workflows, ensuring that OLCF remains at the forefront of
high-performance computing (HPC). The report details several ongoing projects, including the development
of the OLCF Facility API, Data Streaming technologies, and the Zambeze distributed orchestration system,
which together provide a secure and flexible framework for managing computational resources across a
distributed infrastructure.
In addition to technical achievements, ACE has played a central role in outreach and engagement activi-
ties. Through participation in conferences, hackathons, and training sessions, the ACE team has actively
contributed to the broader scientific community. These efforts have not only facilitated the exchange of
knowledge but have also strengthened collaborations with other DOE facilities and research institutions,
further enhancing the impact of the ACE program.
Looking ahead, the report outlines strategic plans for FY25, which include continued support for science
pilots, further integration with ASCR facilities, and the exploration of new technologies. These initiatives are
designed to ensure that ACE remains a dynamic and adaptable platform, capable of meeting the evolving
needs of the scientific community. The ongoing collaboration with ORNL’s INTERSECT initiative and the
planned technology refreshes underscore ACE’s commitment to maintaining its leadership in HPC.
