How can hardware and networking systems respond to the challenges of the data tsunami? What innovative solutions will allow us to process huge volumes of data to extract its value? How can we achieve increased performance while ensuring network security?

These were some of the questions tackled at the RETHINK big workshop, named "Hardware, Networking and Security for Big Data and Data Centers", at the HiPEAC (European Network of Excellence on High Performance and Embedded Architecture and Compilation) Computing Systems Week.

(left to right): Alexandros Zacharis, Security Officer at GRNET; Patrick Demichel, Hewlett Packard Distinguished Technologist

Attracting over 50 experts from the hardware, software, networking and security domains, the workshop featured speakers from both industry and academia, who presented their work in Big Data as well as perspectives regarding the future. Following the presentations, a panel discussion raised interesting points about co-designed hardware/software architectures, security concerns and emerging hardware technologies for Big Data.

(left to right): Nikos Chrysos, formerly IBM Zurich Research Staff, now at FORTH; Evangelos Markatos: Professor at FORTH

The panel consisted of:

• Christos Kotselidis (University of Manchester)
• Patrick Demichel (HP)
• Nikos Chrysos (IBM Zurich)
• Sotiris Ioannidis (FORTH)
• Evangelos Markatos (FORTH and University of Crete)
• Alexandros Zacharis (GRNET)

Presentations from the day are available for download below.