Business need

Researchers needed to process

and share data quickly to solve

water related issues in Thailand. To

achieve this goal, the Institute of

Industrial Science at The University

of Tokyo considered an integrated IT

infrastructure solution.

SolutionTo meet the demand of researchers,

The University of Tokyo selected

a Dell integrated solution based

on Dell PowerEdge servers,

Dell PowerVault storage,

Dell Networking switches and

Dell OpenManage tools.

Dell ProSupport provides locally-

based assistance.

Benefits• 10 times faster processing of

historical and current data

• Real-time monitoring of river

discharge and water level

• Centralized data sharing for more

effective management strategies

• Maximized solution uptimes due

to remote management and

localized support

• Greater capacity for managing

water resources in Thailand

Solutions at a glance• Data Center Virtualization

• Storage

• Systems Management

• Networking

• Support Services

The University of Tokyo assists Thailand to manage precious water resources

Researchers from the University of Tokyo helped Thai authorities to manage water resources more effectively by modelling water related data 10 times faster and sharing the results quickly with an integrated solution

Customer profile

Company Institute of Industrial Science,

The University of Tokyo

Industry Higher Education

Country Japan

Employees 1,200

Website impact.eng.ku.ac.th

“ Thanks to Dell, we have been able to construct an integrated data system for the hydrological cycle in Thailand with advanced processing capabilities and outstanding storage capacity, which will enable us to run massive simulations 10 times faster than before.” Dr. Masashi Kiguchi, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo

2

To improve management and lessen the impact of climate change, a research project was launched involving researchers from Thailand and Japan. The objective was to utilize observational data and water resource management modelling, along with historical information, to influence more effective policies. The project is called the Integrated study on hydro-Meteorological Prediction and Adaptation to Climate change in Thailand (IMPAC-T). The work involves collaboration between Kasetsart University and Royal Irrigation Department (RID), the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), and the Institute of Industrial Science at The University of Tokyo.

Researchers struggle to share data effectivelyWhen the project was launched, hydro-meteorological data resided in silos on separate systems, making it hard for researchers to access what they required. They needed an integrated solution, which could rapidly process and store several gigabytes of data. To find a suitable placement, the University of Tokyo created criteria for selection and a public tender was announced. After a competitive bidding process, IT services provider Sumitomo Densetsu was selected for its solution based on Dell technology and support services.

Integrated technology delivered to planThe university saw the synergies of a purely Dell-based solution, with the individual components delivering greater performance when combined. To that end, it deployed Dell PowerEdge R620 servers with Intel® Xeon® processors

and Dell PowerEdge R815 servers running VMware® vSphere® to deliver simulation applications and process observation data. Next, it installed Dell PowerVault MD3660i arrays, Dell PowerVault MD3060e and Dell PowerVault MD1200 enclosures to deliver approximately 2.8 petabytes of storage capacity. The compute resources and storage were connected by Dell Networking S4810 10 GbE switches.

Products & Services

Services

Dell Support Services

– Dell ProSupport

Hardware

Dell PowerEdge R320 and R620 servers with Intel® Xeon® processors

Dell PowerEdge R710, R720, R720xd servers

Dell PowerEdge R815 servers

Dell PowerVault MD3660i storage arrays

Dell PowerVault MD3060e and MD1200 enclosures

Dell Networking S4810 switches

Software

Dell OpenManage Essentials

VMware® vSphere®

Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC)

Demand for water in Thailand has risen significantly in

recent years. Economic development has put a strain

on the country’s water resources and changing weather

patterns in the future will reduce the predictability of

rainfall volume.

“ We can monitor the status of the servers and respond to system emergencies. Both OpenManage Essentials and iDRAC provide remote access, which makes server maintenance easier for us on the Japan side.” Dr. Eiji Ikoma, Earth Observation Data Integration and Fusion Research Initiative, The University of Tokyo

Dr. Eiji Ikoma

3

For its integrated data servers, researchers installed Dell PowerEdge R710 units, working with PowerEdge R720xd units. On the front end, Dell PowerEdge R320 servers act as web servers, and Dell PowerEdge R720 servers and R710 servers integrate data from the TMD and RID institutions.

Due to intense pressure to deliver the solution within a short timeframe, Sumitomo Densetsu and Dell worked hard to complete the installation on schedule. Now researchers can perform real-time monitoring of river discharge and water level, and calculate water volumes in rivers and held by dams. Moreover, simulations and calculation results from each management model are shareable among researchers via the web.

Simulations now completed 10 times fasterThe impact of the integrated solution was immediate. Dr. Masashi Kiguchi, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, says, “Thanks to Dell, we have been able to construct an integrated data system for the hydrological cycle in Thailand with advanced processing capabilities and outstanding storage capacity, which will enable us to run massive simulations 10 times faster than before.”

Long-term reliability using powerful management toolsAlthough Dr. Eiji Ikoma, Earth Observation Data Integration and Fusion Research Initiative, The University of Tokyo, and his colleagues are based in Japan and the infrastructure is in Thailand,

the Japanese team is confident it can maintain the solution’s high performance, thanks to locally-based Dell ProSupport services. Additionally, they have access to Dell OpenManage Essentials and the Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) for comprehensive remote management. Dr. Ikoma comments, “We can monitor the status of the servers and respond to system emergencies. Both OpenManage Essentials and iDRAC provide remote access, which makes server maintenance easier for us on the Japan side.”

Better data management helps improve strategic planningThrough the ability to run more simulations and the reliability of the integrated solution, Thai authorities can plan better water management strategies. Dr. Kiguchi says, “By addressing the various challenges related to water, we are able to contribute a little to helping the Thai people feel a little safer and more at ease.”

“We look forward to continue working together with Dell as they table innovative solutions for us to consider. We count on having their dedicated support as we move forward in our mission,” concludes Dr. Kiguchi.

Dell, the Dell logo, Dell ProSupport, OpenManage, PowerEdge and PowerVault are trademarks of Dell Inc. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others. Availability and terms of Dell Software, Solutions and Services vary by region. This case study is for informational purposes only. Dell makes no warranties – express or implied—in this case study. Reference Number: 10013413 © January 2015, Dell Inc. All Rights Reserved

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“ By addressing the various challenges related to water, we are able to contribute a little to helping the Thai people feel a little safer and more at ease.” Dr. Masashi Kiguchi, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo

Dr. Masashi Kiguchi

Dr. Jitti Niramitranon (Kasetsart University)

Mr. Shinichiro Nakamura (The University of Tokyo)

Mr. Nontawat Junjareon (Project Manager,

Kasetsart University)

Dr. Eiji Ikoma (The University of Tokyo)

Dr. Chaiporn Jaikaeo (Kasetsart University)

Dr. Daisuke Komori (Tohoku University)