Imaging Computing Server

Distributed Computing Performance for Scientific Imaging

There is a growing trend in life science research to use advanced microscopy techniques that can often generate large volumes of image data, particularly when studying live cells over extended periods of time. Although these experiments may reveal new and interesting results, it can mean that processing image data becomes a difficult problem to solve using standard computer hardware.

The Imaging Computing Server (ICS) may provide the answer to some of your processing problems. The ICS has been developed as a partner product for Volocity, harnessing the power of recent advances in computer technology, to provide enhanced performance of some key functions of Volocity. This can lead to faster results, less frustration whilst you wait for your images to be processed and an increase in your productivity!

Multiply your nodes and magnify your speed!

The ICS utilizes a technique called multi-processing, a method of computing in which different parts of a task are distributed between two or more similar central processing units and this allows operations to be completed faster.

Each processing unit is called a node and the ICS is available with any number of nodes, so you can use the most cost effective performance solution for your application and budgeting needs. The more nodes you have, the faster your system will perform, so the benefit of using the ICS is only limited by how many processing units you choose to have.

The ICS will accelerate the following functions in Volocity:

• Restoration
• 4D measurements (excluding tracking)
• Ray tracing
• Noise removal

The performance gain for increasing the number of nodes is illustrated in the chart below. The results of benchmark tests clearly show that processing data using more nodes provides faster results, saving you time and increasing your productivity.

You can view the benchmark datasets used to measure the performance of the ICS.

The ICS requires high specification computer hardware with gigabit networking, running Windows OS. For details of the recommended computer specifications, please see TechNote 440.

If your research could benefit from using the ICS with Volocity, please contact us to discuss your requirements and receive a quotation.