CSIRO wants $5m file server for SKA

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has gone to market for a file server to service high performance computing projects including the $2.6 billion Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope.

According to tender documents, the CSIRO expected to pay up to $5 million for the server, which would be based in the $80 million new Pawsey high performance computing centre in Perth.

CSIRO wanted a power efficient container-based Linux cluster with a high speed, low latency interconnect, globally accessible file system, UPS and appropriate cooling.

"It is intended for the tenderer to submit proposals that include all the compute, storage, networking, cooling, power and container infrastructure required for the system along with a minimum five-year warranty period on all physical infrastructure," the documents said.

The tender closes on 12 February and a successful vendor will be chosen by the end of April.