  Intel tries P2P philanthropyPat Gelsinger, CTO, Intel |
The program is largely targeted at two goals: ameliorating or curinglife-threatening diseases and demonstrating how peer-to-peer computingnetworks can solve supercomputer-size problems.
In peer-to-peer networks, also known as distributed computing,computational tasks are spread among thousands or millions of computers,most often PCs that handle peer-to-peer chores during what would otherwisebe idle time. The method is an increasingly popular way for researchers torun complex calculations and programs without expensive supercomputers.These networks, ideally, cut both the cost and time involved in researchprojects.
"This will give us unlimited computer power for almost no cost," said IntelCEO Craig Barrett, who added that researchers will "get the computationalcapability of millions of computers working in concert."
The network created in this program, potentially, will be able to churn 50teraflops, or 50 trillion operations per second. Only a few years ago, thefastest supercomputers peaked at 1 teraflop, Barrett noted.
"PC philanthropy through peer-to-peer computing has the very real potentialto reduce substantially the time to find better, more effective treatmentsand, yes, even cures for cancer," said Dr. John Seffrin, CEO of the AmericanCancer Society.
United Devices created the software for the network in conjunction withother participants. The company's research grew out of the Seti@home project, apeer-to-peer project dedicated to seeking intelligent life in space.
The Intel Philanthropic Peer-to-Peer Program, the official name of theprogram, will first be used for leukemia research and developing leukemiamedicines.
Scientists at Oxford, the National Foundation for Cancer Research and theAmerican Cancer Society will create a database of 18 billion small moleculesand then study how these molecules interact through computerizedsimulations. The simulations will gauge the cancer-fighting potential of thedifferent molecules.
The database now contains profiles on 250 million small molecules, a drop inthe bucket, said Graham Richards, chairman of chemistry at Oxford.
"You can turn your screensaver to a life-saver, which is a lot better than aflying toaster," he said. The project could absorb as many as 24 millioncomputing hours, researchers said.
Oxford will own the intellectual property developed under the program, butthe university will license it relatively freely, he added.
The project was conceived in September and recently launched in beta, saidEd Hubbard, CEO of United Devices. To participate in the project, computerusers need to download and installthe software, which also becomes the screensaver. The software essentiallychannels idle computer time to the network.