An error in supercomputer caused massive data loss at Kyoto University

February 2, 2022
Backup Error Supercomputer Massive Data Loss Kyoto University Japan HPE Software

Based on recent reports in Japan, Kyoto University has lost approximately 80 terabytes of irretrievable data due to the HPE software update of their supercomputer’s backup system. The data loss incident happened last December 14 to 16 last year and resulted in over 30 million files from about 14 research groups being removed from the systems and backup files.

After studying to identify the effect of data loss, Kyoto University concluded that anyone could no longer retrieve the research of four of the impacted groups. Moreover, all impacted users have been notified of the incident through email, but the investigators released no details on the missing type of research.

The backup process has been postponed to prevent further data loss from happening again. The university has scoured the backup system and targets to employ improvements and reinstate it this year. The plan is also to keep backups that cover files that have been changed after the last backup has occurred.

 

The supercomputer research service costs hundreds of US dollars per hour, so the data loss incident must have caused immense distress to the impacted researchers that utilise the device.

 

The Kyoto University is one of Japan’s most prominent research institutions and utilises the second-largest scientific research investments from national supports. The university’s research excels in distinctive areas of science such as chemistry. It contributes to other branches such as biology, immunology, pharmacology, and physics, where they share discoveries with health institutions.

Kyoto University has not shared further details regarding the incident and its impact on the affected research groups.

Japan has constantly utilised the services that supercomputers has provided. They also have the most powerful supercomputer in the world called Fugaku, which is operated by a Computational Science firm located in Kobe, Japan.

The Japanese government and other investments have funded the development of Fugaku, and it cost them about $1.2 billion. So far, Fugaku has been utilised to research the current pandemic, such as COVID-19 therapeutics, virus spread simulations, and diagnostics.

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