CERN starts up computing grid to crunch data

GENEVA (AFP) - The European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) on Friday unveiled a massive computing grid aimed at analysing millions of gigabytes of data set to be generated by the world’s largest atom-smasher.

The data manager of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the Worldwide LHC Computing Grid, combines the IT power of over 140 computer centres, and would analyse each year over a thousand times more data than is currently available in printed material over the world.

The atom-smasher LHC, a scientific research instrument spanning 27 kilometres (17 miles) of tunnels buried 100 metres underground in the suburbs of Geneva, is expected to generate tonnes of data through subatomic collisions.