Scalable Computing Challenge

The 11th IEEE International Scalable Computing Challenge (SCALE 2018)
co-­located with CCGrid 2018
Washington, DC, USA
May 1-4, 2018

IMPORTANT DATES:
Abstract submission: March 1, 2018
Deadline for submitting proposals: March 8, 2018

The objective of the 11th IEEE International Scalable Computing Challenge (SCALE 2018) is to highlight and showcase real-world problem solving using computing that scales. Effective solutions to many scientific and engineering problems require applications that can scale. There are different dimensions to application scalability. For example, applications can scale-up to a large number of cores on a compute unit, scale-out to utilize multiple distinct compute units, or exhibit elastic scaling to acquire and release resources on-demand, based on current need. The result may be an application that can solve a larger problem, increase throughput, and/or reduce execution time. In order to scale, applications need to be supported by tools, middleware, software cyber-infrastructure, programming frameworks, computing infrastructure, etc. The SCALE Challenge is concerned with advances in application development and their supporting infrastructure to enable scaling. All papers presented at the SCALE challenge of IEEE/ACM CCGrid 2018 will be submitted to IEEE Xplore for publication and EI indexing.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS:
The 11th IEEE International Scalable Computing Challenge (SCALE 2018) contest focuses on end­-to-­end problem solving using concepts, technologies and architectures (including Clusters, Grids and Clouds) that facilitate scaling. Participants in the challenge will be expected to identify significant current real-­world problems where scalable computing techniques can be effectively used, and design, implement, evaluate, and demonstrate solutions. SCALE 2018 will be held in conjunction with the 18th CCGrid Conference in Washington.

We invite teams to submit papers outlining the problem addressed and the technologies employed to enable applications to scale. Papers should be up to 6 pages long in standard IEEE format. In addition to listing the team members and contact information, the papers should clearly outline:

– An overview of the problem being solved and the techniques employed
– The application scenario and its requirements
– Performance metrics (number of cores, computational throughput, I/O bandwidth, metadata operations, etc.), supporting data, and a qualitative description of how the application scales – scale-up, scale-out or any other type of scaling
– The solution – architecture, underlying concepts and technologies used, highlighting the innovative aspects of the solution
– Impact of the solution, including its extensibility, the uniqueness of the solutions and the results, and the extent to which the presented solution pushes the envelope in scalable computing
– Analysis of the solution and technology employed with a comparison to related approaches

Papers will be shortlisted using the above 6 points as merit criteria, and up to 5 papers will be invited to compete in the final round at CCGrid 2018. Finalists will be judged on the quality of their presentation, which shall include a short demonstration, as well as their responses to questions by a technical committee. At least one member from each selected team is expected to register, present the work in a special session at the CCGrid 2018 conference, and demonstrate the scale component. The judges will select a first prize winner at the conference. Finalist papers will appear in the proceedings of the CCGrid 2018 Conference.

Participation from students and young researchers, especially in leadership roles, is strongly encouraged.

AWARDS:
The finalists will be judged on the quality of their presentation and demonstration, as well as their responses to questions by a technical committee, and a first price will be awarded.

SUBMISSIONS:
https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=scale2018

ORGANIZERS:
Sandra Gesing, University of Notre Dame, USA
Amy Apon, Clemson University, USA