Functionality

The CloudBroker Platform is a web framework and application store for high performance computing software in the cloud. It provides access to scientific and technical application software as a service, on a pay-per-use basis. For this, the platform allows to easily and securely manage:

• Deployment and execution of different applications in the cloud
• Fully automated data storage, transfer and processing
• Usage of various highly-scalable cloud computing resources
• All necessary setup, accounting, monitoring, billing and payments of the users
• Different pricing models for usage and software offering

Furthermore, the platform can be flexibly accessed from a number of interfaces:

• A browser-based, operating system-independent web user interface, supporting work from PCs, smartphones and other devices
• A REST-based web service API with full functionality, which can be accessed from almost every programming language
• Client tools and libraries for implementation into your specific environments
• Integration into third-party portals and platforms such as the workflow framework KNIME

The CloudBroker Platform can interoperate with different cloud computing infrastructures. In particular, the following two cloud services have been enabled in the platform:

• Amazon Web Services
• IBM Cloud

And if you need any special adaptation of the platform or the implementation of additional features, our consulting services are there to support you.

Applications

Almost all kinds of compute-intensive, batch-oriented application software can be enabled in the CloudBroker Platform. There is no limitation in the scientific or technical domains that can be supported. Examples of applications that can be run on the platform include:

• Chemistry: GAMESS, GROMACS
• Biology: BLAST, X! Tandem, Rosetta
• Medicine: AutoDock
• Engineering: OpenFOAM

Many of these applications are already accessible in the shared public version of the platform. Our consulting services are also happy to help you with making further application software available in the CloudBroker Platform.

Use Cases

The CloudBroker Platform is of interest for you if you are looking for:

• As a scientist, researcher or engineer - a fast and easy way to use high performance computing applications without maintaining your own computer infrastructure
• As a software vendor - a framework providing all the features you need to offer your scientific or technical application software as a cloud service
• As a R&D organization - a scalable, just-in-time web platform giving your users access to HPC in the cloud with you staying in full control 

It is thus available in three different operating models to meet all your needs:

• Shared - You use the platform server we offer to the general public. You have your own administration space with the whole environment already set up and an application marketplace directly accessible.
• Hosted - We operate a separate installation of the platform only for your specific purposes. This provides you full access on all functionality, but saves you from unnecessary operational hassles.
• Individual - You maintain a licensed copy of our platform within your own premises. This gives you full control not only about the platform, but also about the corresponding infrastructure.

For more information about the CloudBroker Platform, please contact us!