Sustainable operation of research infrastructure for novel computing

TL;DR

This paper discusses transforming a neuromorphic research system into a sustainable, publicly accessible infrastructure, emphasizing system integration, maintenance, and operational robustness for broad scientific use.

Contribution

It presents a comprehensive approach to establishing a sustainable research infrastructure for novel computing systems, exemplified by the BrainScaleS-2 neuromorphic platform.

Findings

Successful deployment of a neuromorphic system as a public research platform

Implementation of automated monitoring and maintenance techniques

Lessons learned from operating analog neuromorphic hardware over a decade

Abstract

Novel compute systems are an emerging research topic, aiming towards building next-generation compute platforms. For these systems to thrive, they need to be provided as research infrastructure to allow acceptance and usage by a large community. By the example of the neuromorphic BrainScaleS-2 system, we showcase the transformation from a laboratory setup to a sustainable, publicly available platform. It is embedded into a purpose-built institute, tightly coupling a conventional cluster with novel compute hardware. The network infrastructure is optimized for robust operation, even in the case of unintended behavior of individual devices. The systems themselves are packaged into 19-inch compatible units to allow for easy maintenance and extension. We operate the platform using modern CI/CD techniques and continuously assert its health using automated system monitoring. Finally, we share our lessons learned during the decade-long endeavor of operating analog neuromorphic systems as a publicly available research platform.