Recent developments in the JT-60 data processing system

The JT-60 data processing system was originally a large computer complex system including a lot of micro-computers, several mini-computers, and a mainframe computer. Recently, several improvements have been made to the original system to modernize the system. Many sub-systems composed of aged mini-computers have been replaced with workstations by utilizing recent progress in computer and network technologies. The system can handle ∼300 MB of raw data per discharge, which is three times larger than the amount in the original system. These improvements have been applied to develop element technologies necessary to the remote participation in JT-60 experiments. A remote diagnostics control and monitoring system and a computer system for access to JT-60 data from the Internet are used together with video conferencing systems for a real-time communication. In 1996, the remote participation based on them was successfully demonstrated in collaboration with Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.