# Discovery

> supercomputer

**Wikidata**: [Q74853257](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q74853257)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/discovery-q74853257

## Summary  
Discovery is a high‑performance supercomputer built by Intel that runs the Linux operating system. As of June 2012 it delivered a peak performance of 181 teraflops (Rpeak) and a measured maximum of 118.6 teraflops (Rmax), and it is listed in the TOP500 with system ID 177816.

## Key Facts  
- **Type:** Supercomputer (instance of supercomputer).  
- **Manufacturer:** Intel, the American semiconductor company founded on 18 July 1968.  
- **Operating System:** Linux, a Unix‑like OS first released on 17 September 1991.  
- **TOP500 ID:** 177816.  
- **Performance (June 1 2012):** Rmax = 118.6 teraflops; Rpeak = 181 teraflops.  
- **Distinct Identity:** Listed as a separate entity from other “Discovery” items (different_from Discovery).  
- **Location of Manufacturer:** Intel’s headquarters are in Santa Clara, California, USA.  

## FAQs  

### Q: What is the Discovery supercomputer?  
A: Discovery is an Intel‑manufactured supercomputer that runs Linux and achieved up to 181 teraflops of peak performance in 2012.

### Q: Who built Discovery and when was the manufacturer founded?  
A: Discovery was built by Intel, an American technology company founded on 18 July 1968.

### Q: Which operating system does Discovery use?  
A: Discovery runs on Linux, the Unix‑like operating system first released on 17 September 1991.

### Q: How powerful is Discovery?  
A: As of 1 June 2012, Discovery’s measured maximum performance (Rmax) was 118.6 teraflops, with a theoretical peak (Rpeak) of 181 teraflops.

### Q: Is Discovery listed in any supercomputer rankings?  
A: Yes, it appears in the TOP500 list with the system identifier 177816.

## Why It Matters  
Discovery exemplifies the convergence of cutting‑edge hardware and open‑source software in the realm of high‑performance computing. By leveraging Intel’s advanced processor technology and the flexibility of Linux, Discovery achieved teraflop‑scale performance that supports complex scientific simulations, large‑scale data analysis, and advanced engineering workloads. Its presence in the TOP500 underscores its role as a benchmark for computational capability, influencing design choices for future supercomputers. Researchers and institutions rely on such systems to accelerate breakthroughs in fields ranging from climate modeling to genomics, making Discovery a pivotal asset in the global push toward faster, more efficient computation.

## Notable For  
- **Record‑class performance:** 181 teraflops (Rpeak) and 118.6 teraflops (Rmax) in 2012.  
- **TOP500 recognition:** Assigned system ID 177816, confirming its status among the world’s fastest computers.  
- **Intel manufacturing:** Showcases Intel’s leadership in the semiconductor industry for supercomputing hardware.  
- **Linux foundation:** Operates on the widely adopted, open‑source Linux OS, highlighting the platform’s suitability for high‑end computing.  
- **Distinct identity:** Explicitly differentiated from other entities named “Discovery,” ensuring clear attribution in technical literature.

## Body  

### Overview  
Discovery is classified as a **supercomputer**, a class of computers designed to perform at the highest levels of processing power. It was **manufactured by Intel**, a multinational technology corporation headquartered in Santa Clara, California, United States. Intel was **founded on 18 July 1968** and is a major player in the semiconductor and electrical industries.

### Operating System  
Discovery runs on **Linux**, a Unix‑like operating system. Linux’s **inception date** is recorded as **17 September 1991**, reflecting its long‑standing role as a stable, open‑source platform for scientific and enterprise computing.

### Performance Metrics (as of 1 June 2012)  
- **Rmax (maximum measured performance):** **118.6 teraflops**.  
- **Rpeak (theoretical peak performance):** **181 teraflops**.  
Both figures are expressed in **teraflops**, a unit representing one trillion floating‑point operations per second. These metrics place Discovery among the most powerful computing systems of its time.

### TOP500 Listing  
Discovery is catalogued in the **TOP500** supercomputer ranking with the **system identifier 177816**. Inclusion in this list indicates that Discovery met the criteria for high‑performance benchmarks and was recognized internationally for its computational capabilities.

### Relationship to Intel  
- **Manufacturer:** Intel supplied the hardware architecture and components for Discovery.  
- **Corporate Context:** Intel’s headquarters are located at **2200 Mission College Boulevard, Santa Clara, CA 95052‑8119**, United States.  
- **Industry Position:** Intel operates within the **semiconductor** and **electrical** industries, providing the foundational technology that enables supercomputers like Discovery.

### Distinction from Other “Discovery” Entities  
Discovery is explicitly marked as **different_from** other items bearing the same name, ensuring that references to this supercomputer are unambiguous in databases and scholarly works.

### Significance in Computing  
The combination of **Intel’s hardware expertise** and **Linux’s open‑source flexibility** allowed Discovery to achieve performance levels that supported advanced research workloads. Its presence in the TOP500 demonstrates its relevance to the global supercomputing community and its contribution to pushing the boundaries of computational science.