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NCAR's most durable supercomputer processed its last batch on 30 June.
Nicknamed shavano, the CRAY Y-MP came to NCAR in 1990. The workhorse
computer was honored with a farewell ceremony at the Mesa Lab just
before SCD's Gene Schumacher (center, flanked by Cray Research's
on-site engineer Jim Martinez and Sally Haerer) pulled the switch to
bring shavano down once and for all. "I've been around NCAR for the
installation of every major computer," said Gene before giving shavano
the ultimate accolade: "It's been a good machine." SCD deputy director
Pete Peterson asked, "I wonder if there's a Cray computer anywhere in
the world that's put in as much work as shavano" (the machine handled
2,932 users between FY91 and FY97).
As the seconds to shutdown ticked down, Steve Emmerson played "Auld Lang Syne" on bagpipes in the machine room. Afterward, a festive crowd ate cake on the ML mezzanine and enjoyed ragtime numbers performed by Mary Haley (piano) and Becky Ruttenberg (violin). •BH
(Photo by Carlye Calvin.)
Production
Writer/editor:
Bob Henson
Design: Liesel Brunson
Printing: Speedy Bee
Print distribution:
Milli Butterworth
Electronic distribution:
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Photography: Carlye Calvin, Liesel Brunson
Unless otherwise noted all images are copyrighted by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research / National Center for Atmospheric Research / National Science Foundation.
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