Distributed MDSplus database performance with Linux clusters

The staff at the DIII-D National Fusion Facility, operated for the USDOE by General Atomics, are investigating the use of grid computing and Linux technology to improve performance in our core data management services. We are in the process of converting much of our functionality to cluster-based and grid-enabled software. One of the most important pieces is a new distributed version of the MDSplus scientific data management system that is presently used to support fusion research in over 30 countries worldwide. To improve data handling performance, the staff is investigating the use of Linux clusters for both data clients and servers. The new distributed capability will result in better load balancing between these clients and servers, and more efficient use of network resources resulting in improved support of the data analysis needs of the scientific staff.