The Computing and Archiving Research Environment (COARE) is a service provided by the Department of Science and Technology’s Advanced Science and Technology (DOST-ASTI) that promotes collaboration among institutions by enabling multiple data integrations between ASTI-initiated projects and other collaborative projects with different agencies that require high data storage capacity and high-performance computing.
COARE provides a platform for easy storage, analysis, and sharing of scientific data through services like High-Performance Computing (HPC), Science Cloud, and Data Archiving. The HPC service can handle large-scale data processing that demands high-speed and resource-intensive computations, using powerful computing resources. Compared to an average desktop computer, the HPC delivers more accurate results. The Science Cloud offers virtual machines (VMs) for cloud-based applications and computing. The Data Archiving service features a highly available repository to meet various storage needs of COARE users, allowing data to be stored on a short-term or long-term basis. Data generated through these services can support various discovery and high-impact research, contributing to science-based policy and decision-making.
COARE provides HPC, Science Cloud, and Data Archiving services to the science community and organizations undertaking research & development activities. COARE’s stakeholders and target beneficiaries include the following:
COARE (Computing and Archiving Research Environment) traces its origins to the Philippine e-Science Grid Program established in 2008, with the Grid Operations Center formed in 2009 to support distributed scientific computing. Between 2010 and 2011, the initiative contributed resources to international collaborations such as the Enabling Grids for E-sciencE (EGEE), helping build local expertise and expand its user community. By 2012 to 2013, the infrastructure underwent major upgrades, including full virtualization, increased compute capacity, and the establishment of a modular data center to support more advanced research needs.
The COARE project was formally implemented from 2014 to 2017, marking a significant transition toward cloud-based scientific computing. During this period, a dedicated science cloud facility was established, along with a replica site at the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and further enhancements in storage and processing capabilities. These developments enabled more reliable and scalable services for researchers across various disciplines.
From 2018 to 2020, COARE expanded its capabilities and partnerships by introducing identity and access management systems, user portal, and service desk support, while also launching key services such as High-Performance Computing (HPC), Science Cloud, and Data Archiving. In the present day, COARE continues to increase its capacity and broaden its impact, serving a diverse range of users and supporting data-driven research and innovation in the Philippines.