The Sky Is No Limit

During undergraduate studies, Md Rajib Hossen worked on a research project on big data analysis and management that introduced him to the transformative power of high-performance computing (HPC) and ignited his passion for the field. He works for The University of Texas at Arlington, and his most notable contribution to the HPC community is his research involving resource management for microservices and enabling HPC in cloud environments with his resource manager, PEMA+, gaining significant recognition. Hossen is a dedicated researcher who is deeply passionate about the merging realms of HPC, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) in the cloud. He views this convergence as a monumental leap for computational research.

Unsung Impacts of Virtualization

Hossen counts the emergence and widespread adoption of virtualization technology as one of the most overlooked yet profoundly transformative breakthroughs of the last 35 years. This technology’s seismic impact on resource management and the democratization of HPC has laid the groundwork for an uncharted era of innovation. Through the creation of virtual clusters, virtualization has effectively dismantled the barriers of dedicated physical infrastructure, thereby enabling widespread access to HPC resources and nurturing novel avenues for scientific exploration.

Hossen’s perspective underscores the pressing need for a comprehensive blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on expertise in cutting-edge technologies to fully exploit the potential of these advancements. He envisions a collaborative landscape where institutions come together to formulate standardized curricula, facilitate workshops, establish certifications, and foster a pervasive culture of continuous learning. Such collaborative endeavors are poised to unleash the full potential of virtualization’s unsung impacts and pave the way for a future where technological leaps are both celebrated and effectively harnessed for the betterment of scientific progress.

Md Rajib Hossen

Ph.D. Candidate, The University of Texas at Arlington

Rajib on LinkedIN

Q: What single event most made you realize you wanted a career in HPC/computing?

Hossen: During my undergraduate studies, I participated in a research project focused on big data analysis and management. Through this project, I had the opportunity to work with advanced technologies, such as OpenStack, Ceph, and Hadoop, and witnessed the transformative impact that efficient resource management and automation can have on large-scale computing systems. I was fascinated by the immense computational power and the potential for solving complex problems that HPC offered. This experience ignited my passion for HPC and computing, and I realized I wanted to pursue a career in this field where I could contribute to pushing the boundaries of computational capabilities and enabling breakthrough scientific discoveries.

Q: What do you consider your biggest contribution to the HPC/computing community?

Hossen: I consider my biggest contribution to be my research on resource management for microservices and enabling HPC in cloud computing environments. In particular, my work on developing a comprehensive resource manager for microservices, called PEMA+, has garnered significant attention and recognition in the community. Additionally, my research on market mechanism-based user-in-the-loop power oversubscription for HPC systems addresses the challenges of power surge in oversubscribed clusters. Through these contributions, I aim to advance the field of resource management, scalability, and efficiency in HPC and cloud computing, enabling researchers and practitioners to harness the full potential of these technologies and achieve breakthroughs in scientific and computational domains.

Q: In the past 35 years, what is the most significant overlooked breakthrough that has impacted the field in your eyes?

Hossen: In my opinion, one of the most significant overlooked breakthroughs in the past 35 years that has greatly impacted the field is the development and widespread adoption of virtualization technology. Virtualization revolutionized the way computing resources are managed and utilized, bringing numerous benefits and advancements to various domains, including HPC and cloud computing. The impact of virtualization on HPC has been substantial. It has enabled the creation of virtual clusters, allowing researchers and practitioners to leverage HPC capabilities without the need for dedicated physical infrastructure. This has democratized access to high-performance computing resources and opened up new opportunities for scientific discovery and innovation.

Q: What would you like to see change about, within, or among the HPC/computing community?

Hossen: Continuous education and training are vital in a rapidly evolving field like HPC/computing. There should be more emphasis on providing comprehensive education and training programs to students, researchers, and professionals. This includes both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies, tools, and methodologies. Institutions and organizations can collaborate to develop standardized curricula, offer workshops and certifications, and promote lifelong learning. 

Q: Can you share any “words of wisdom” for those navigating the state of HPC today?

Hossen: As a researcher passionate about pushing the boundaries of computational capabilities, I am truly excited about the convergence of high-performance computing, big data analytics, and AI/ML in the cloud. The prospect of seamlessly harnessing the power of these paradigms opens up immense possibilities for tackling complex challenges and accelerating scientific breakthroughs. Enabling HPC workloads in the cloud empowers researchers like me to leverage scalable resources, optimize resource utilization, and drive innovation with cost-effective solutions. It’s a fascinating time to be at the intersection of converging computing disciplines, and I’m eager to explore the limitless potential it offers for advancing computational research.

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