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The Office of Technology Assessment is conducting an assessment of the effects of new information technologies--including high performance computing, data networking, and mass data archiving--on research and development. This paper offers a view of the issues and their implications for current discussions about Federal supercomputer initiatives and legislative initiatives concerning a national data communication network. The observations to date emphasize the critical importance of advanced information technology to research and development in the United States, the interconnection of these telecommunications technologies into a national system program, and the need for immediate and coordinated federal action to bring into being an advanced information technology infrastructure to support U.S. research, engineering, and education. High performance computers are discussed in detail using the Cornell Theory Center, the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, the San Diego Supercomputer Center, and the John von Neumann National Supercomputer Center as examples. Several high performance computer facilities at the state level are also reviewed, as well as changes in the scientific computing environment, the review and renewal of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Centers, and international programs in Japan and Europe. A detailed discussion of the status of and policy issues surrounding data networking for science focused on the proposed National Research and Education Network (NREN) concludes the document. A list of reviewers and the names and affiliations of the High Performance Computing and Networking for Science Advisory Panel are included. (DB)

This document contains the transcript of three hearings on the High Speed Performance Computing and High Speed Networking Applications Act of 1993 (H.R. 1757). The hearings were designed to obtain specific suggestions for improvements to the legislation and alternative or additional application areas that should be pursued. Testimony and prepared statements were received from: (1) John H. Gibbons, Office of Science and Technology Policy; (2) Thomas J. Tauke, NYNEX; (3) Robert H. Ewald, Cray Research; (4) W. B. Barker, BBN Communications; (5) Richard F. Rashid, Microsoft; (6) Major R. Owens, House Subcommittee on Select Education and Civil Rights; (7) Don E. Detmer, University of Virginia; (8) Connie Stout, Texas Educational Network; (9) John Masten, New York Public Library; (10) Martin A. Massengale, University of Nebraska; (11) Cynthia H. Braddon, Information Industry Association; (12) Donald A. B. Lindberg, National Coordination Office for HPCC Program; (13) Malvin H. Kalos, Cornell Theory Center; (14) Jeffrey C. Kalb, Maspar Computer Corp.; (15) Edward Masi, Intel; (16) Fred Weingarten, Computing Research Association; (17) David K. Herron, Lilly Research Laboratories; and (18) John B. Gage, Sun Microsystems Laboratories. Subcommittee and committee markups of H.R. 1757, as well as prepared statements from the Consortium for International Earth Science Information Network, International Society for Technology in Education, Coalition for Patent Information Dissemination, and Microcomputer Industry Association, are appended. (KRN)

The purpose of the bill (S. 343), as reported by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, is to establish a federal commitment to the advancement of high-performance computing, improve interagency planning and coordination of federal high-performance computing and networking activities, authorize a national high-speed computer network, and authorize high-performance computing activities at the Department of Energy. This report presents an amendment to the bill adopted by the committeee and its recommendation that the bill be passed as amended. The amendment establishes the short title of the bill as the "National High-Performance Computing and Networking Act"; reports the findings of Congress concerning supercomputers and computer networks and their importance to national security, international competitiveness, and technological advancement; presents the purposes of the bill, including interagency planning, coordination, and interaction of federal high-performance computing and networking activities; establishes a National High-Performance Computing and Communications Program (NHPCC); directs the President to establish a high-speed computing network to be known as the National Research and Education Network (NREN); directs the Secretary of Energy to evaluate high-performance computing systems and support computational research and development; allows the heads of federal agencies to exempt programs or activities that involve classified information; and authorizes such funds as may be necessary to carry out the activities authorized by the Act for fiscal years 1992-1996. The report provides background information on high-performance computing, the legislative history of the bill, and discussions of the provisions of the amendment. (DB)