ATLAS Collaboration Data Challenges (DC) are tasks with the purpose to assess
readiness of the software being prepared by the Collaboration for the
actual data taking, and evaluation of its overall status.
Data Challenges are planned to be conducted in several stages (as
presented to the Collaboration Board):
DC0: runs through end-2001 - beginning-2002
and aims to test the continuity of the code chain. Only modest event
samples will be generated, and essentially all in traditional
sequential file format.
DC1: runs in the first half of 2002, and will be divided in two
phases:
Several data sets generated, some as large as
107 events, for high-level trigger studies and
for physics analysis.
Some physics samples produced, but the main purpose is to
test the new software, including Geant4, the new event
data model and the evaluation of two database
technologies, Objectivity and RootI/O.
The volume of data is estimated at 20-30 TB. DC1
will run on sites worldwide, and will make as much use of
Grid tools as time permits.
DC2: runs in the first half of 2003. The main goal is to have
the full new software in place. Several samples of
108 events will be generated, mainly in OO-databases,
and with large-scale physics analysis using Grid tools.
All the Data Challenges will be run on Linux systems operating at
close to the CERN certified level, and with the compilers distributed
with the code if not already installed locally in the correct
version.
A Nordic initiative group has been set up during the 4th Nordic LHC
Workshop, chaired by Farid Ould-Saada () and
consisting of representatives of all the Nordic institutes involved in
ATLAS. The group convened for the first time on December 5 at CERN,
and the major statements are:
the involved institutes are commited to the participation in
ATLAS DC's, contributing with the NorduGrid resources.
to provide such a participation, the group needs assistance from
the ATLAS Collaboration in supplying all the necessary for
corresponding DC's software, in a distributable/portable kit form.