OpenMicroServer Case study: Keio University

Flexibile and durable network hardware

A DHCP server that cuts off unauthorized access

The Matsuo Laboratory for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) at Keio University operates a cluster of over 60 Linux PCs. This massive computing power is necessary for the numerical calculations to simulate fluids and gases.

Previously, these computers were assigned a global IP to make them accessible from an external network. This has made the system open to hacking attempts, and the administration staff decided to shield the systems and provide access via a VPN instead. As part of this infrastructure, they set up a DHCP server to provide IPs to the PCs on the internal network of the research lab.

The hardware running this DHCP server is Plat'Home in the third generation now: The first-generation OpenBlockS, the OpenBlockS266, and now the OpenMicroServer.

The MicroServer's robustness

Turning the lab into a private network

The machines are installed in a server room in a different building from the research lab, so a quick response in case of system failure is difficult. The system is also required to run around the clock without interruption. The task was to find hardware that will reliably run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The team tried small servers from several companies, but had doubts about their long-term reliability. But the past good experience with Plat'Home OpenBlockS systems convinced the laboratory to put their trust in Plat'Home for a third time. For us at Plat'Home, we value this trust from our customers above all else.

Using the OpenMicroServer - The expandability requirement

Dr. Akiko Matsuo
Keio University
Assistant professor of Science

With the progress of computer simulation, it is always necessary to match the performance of the computer hardware with the scientific progress. There is always demand on the network for more efficient data transmission.
As part of these considerations, the laboratory decided on the OpenMicroServer hardware. It's compact, so it doesn't need extra space, it's reliable without parts like fan or hard drive. And with Gigabit Ethernet ports, it is well suited to modern networks with their extended features like jumbo frames and tagged VLAN.

In Dr. Matsuo's words, "We decided on it because it's durable and flexible, and we can do a lot with it."

The laboratory DHCP server went from the first OpenBlockS to the OpenBlockS266 to the OpenMicroServer, so it's Plat'Home in the third gneration. Each model convinced with its robustness and flexibility, and safe and reliable operation of this network core functionality. Is there a better way to show the value of the Plat'Home OpenMicroServer, and the OpenBlockS series, as support for a high-performance infrastructure like a research computing cluster.