Executive Summary
Paragon Micro modernized the high-performance computing storage environment, supporting more than 200 researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
The engagement replaced aging enterprise storage infrastructure to improve performance, reliability, security, and scalability while maintaining continuous 24 x 7 HPC operations across multiple research facilities.
All equipment deliveries were completed ahead of schedule, and migration activities progressed without delays tied to contract execution.
Mission Challenge
NIAID operates a high-performance computing cluster supporting:
• Next-generation sequencing
• Phylogenetics research
• Structural biology
• High throughput, data-intensive analysis
The storage environment was experiencing:
• Performance bottlenecks
• Reliability degradation
• Capacity limitations
• Security concerns
• High maintenance costs
To maintain uninterrupted research services, the existing enterprise storage required full modernization without disrupting 24 x 7 scientific workloads.
Technical Approach
Paragon Micro supported the full lifecycle of storage modernization.
Architecture and Design
• Assessed existing HPC storage constraints
• Designed replacement enterprise storage architecture
• Aligned new hardware and licensing with technical requirements
• Ensured compatibility with the current HPC cluster environment
Deployment and Integration
• Deployed new storage hardware
• Configured and integrated into the existing enterprise environment
• Conducted validation and system checks
• Supported migration planning and execution
Documentation and Operational Readiness
• Delivered as-built documentation for installations and reconfigurations
• Documented system state for future maintenance and upgrades
• Captured all configuration and expansion actions
Performance and Delivery Execution
The customer required all equipment delivered by September 29, 2023.
Paragon Micro completed delivery ahead of schedule:
• Rockville Data Center delivery on September 13, 2023
• Rocky Mount Laboratories delivery on September 18, 2023
Migration and installation were completed at the Rockville Data Center. Migration services were estimated at 90 to 120 days and progressed without contract-related delay. No schedule slippage was attributed to this award.
Operational Impact
• Improved storage performance for data-intensive research workloads
• Increased system reliability and uptime
• Expanded storage capacity for future research growth
• Strengthened data security posture
• Reduced long-term maintenance burden
The modernization ensured that NIAID researchers continued to receive fast, stable HPC services critical to infectious disease research.
Why This Matters
Scientific computing environments supporting infectious disease research operate continuously and cannot tolerate instability.
Paragon Micro delivered:
Continuous operations during transition
Validated storage modernization
On time and ahead of schedule delivery
Documented and maintainable system state
This engagement demonstrates disciplined execution in high-availability federal health research environments.