# National Center for High-Performance Computing

> national-level research laboratory under NARL

**Wikidata**: [Q6971340](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6971340)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Center_for_High-Performance_Computing)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/national-center-for-high-performance-computing

## Summary
The National Center for High-Performance Computing (NCHC) is a national-level research laboratory in Taiwan, functioning as the country’s primary organization for high-performance computing and network infrastructure. Affiliated with the National Applied Research Laboratories (NARL), it manages the Taiwan Advanced Research and Education Network (TWAREN) and is located in Hsinchu City.

## Key Facts
- **Full Name:** National Center for High-Performance Computing (NCHC).
- **Classification:** Research institute and organization.
- **Parent Organization:** National Institutes of Applied Research (under NARL).
- **Location:** Hsinchu City, Taiwan (Coordinates: 24.782538, 120.995705).
- **Founded:** Sources indicate an inception year of 1991 or 1993.
- **Primary Network:** Manages the Taiwan Advanced Research and Education Network (TWAREN), also known as the Taiwanese National Research and Education Network (NREN).
- **Identifiers:** GRID ID: grid.462649.b; ROR ID: 01jpzd518.
- **Membership:** Member of the OpenPOWER Foundation.
- **Website:** https://www.nchc.org.tw/ (Available in Traditional Chinese and English).

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary function of the National Center for High-Performance Computing?
A: The NCHC serves as a national-level research laboratory focused on high-performance computing. It provides critical infrastructure, including the TWAREN network, to support academic and research institutions across Taiwan.

### Q: Where is the NCHC located?
A: The center is based in Hsinchu City, Taiwan.

### Q: How is the NCHC related to open-source software?
A: The center is affiliated with notable computer scientists such as Steven Shiau, the maintainer and developer of Clonezilla Live, highlighting its involvement in open-source software development and deployment.

### Q: What is TWAREN?
A: TWAREN stands for the Taiwan Advanced Research and Education Network. It serves as the national research and education network (NREN) for Taiwan and is operated by the NCHC.

## Why It Matters
The National Center for High-Performance Computing plays a critical role in Taiwan's scientific and technological infrastructure. As the nation's premier high-performance computing facility, it provides the computational power and high-speed networking capabilities necessary for advanced research in fields ranging from climate modeling to biotechnology. By managing TWAREN, the NCHC ensures that universities and research institutions have the robust connectivity required for modern data-intensive collaboration. Its membership in the OpenPOWER Foundation further demonstrates its commitment to adopting and developing cutting-edge hardware architectures. The center acts as a backbone for Taiwan's academic competitiveness and digital innovation, facilitating both local and international research projects.

## Notable For
- **National Infrastructure:** Being the Taiwanese national research and education network (NREN) provider.
- **Strategic Location:** Situated in Hsinchu City, the heart of Taiwan's technology industry.
- **Open Source Contribution:** Affiliation with key developers of Clonezilla Live (Steven Shiau).
- **International Collaboration:** Membership in the global OpenPOWER Foundation.
- **Bilingual Access:** Maintaining a web presence in both Traditional Chinese and English to serve diverse researchers.

## Body
### Organizational Structure
The National Center for High-Performance Computing (NCHC) is a research institute classified as a national-level laboratory. It operates under the National Institutes of Applied Research, which falls under the umbrella of the National Applied Research Laboratories (NARL). The facility is physically located in Hsinchu City, Taiwan, at coordinates 24.782538 latitude and 120.995705 longitude.

### History and Identity
The organization was founded in either 1991 or 1993, based on varying academic and Wikipedia source records. It is widely recognized by its short name, NCHC, and several aliases including the Taiwanese NREN, TWAREN, and various Chinese names such as 國網中心 (Guó Wǎng Zhōngxīn). Its official GRID ID is grid.462649.b, and its ROR ID is 01jpzd518.

### Networks and Technology
The NCHC's field of work focuses on national research and education networking. It is responsible for the Taiwan Advanced Research and Education Network (TWAREN). As a member of the OpenPOWER Foundation, the center engages with advanced processor architectures and open hardware development.

### Key Personnel
The center is associated with prominent figures in computer science:
- **Steven Shiau:** A Taiwanese computer scientist affiliated with NCHC, known for maintaining and developing Clonezilla Live.
- **Shih-Hao Hung:** A Taiwanese computer scientist (ORCID 0000-0003-2043-2663) associated with the center.

### Digital Presence
The NCHC maintains a digital footprint through its official website and social media. Its YouTube channel (handle: nchc3005; ID: UCWrzkYUM5cwpZExQ4Et5vSw) had over 1.6 million video views as of late 2025. The center is also documented across Wikipedia in English, Japanese, Chinese, and Wikimedia Commons.

## References

1. [Source](https://openpowerfoundation.org/membership/current-members/)
2. ROR release v1.19
3. GRID Release 2016-05-31
4. GRID Release 2016-12-06
5. Quora
6. YouTube API