Moving from exascale to zettascale computing: challenges and techniques

Xiangke Liao, Kai Lu, Canqun Yang, Jin-wen Li, Yuan Yuan, Ming-che Lai, Libo Huang, Pingjing Lu, Jianbin Fang, Jing Ren, Jie Shen

Abstract: High-performance computing (HPC) is essential for both traditional and emerging scientific fields, enabling scientific activities to make progress. With the development of high-performance computing, it is foreseeable that exascale computing will be put into practice around 2020. As Moore’s law approaches its limit, high-performance computing will face severe challenges when moving from exascale to zettascale, making the next 10 years after 2020 a vital period to develop key HPC techniques. In this study, we discuss the challenges of enabling zettascale computing with respect to both hardware and software. We then present a perspective of future HPC technology evolution and revolution, leading to our main recommendations in support of zettascale computing in the coming future.