The duties of the Centre include developing and maintaining the computing and service infrastructure as well as of scientific applications, conducting research and development works within the above area, developing and maintaining the Wrocław Academic Computer Network (Wrocławska Akademicka Sieć Komputerowa – WASK), and also providing ICT security to the cooperating organizations.

WCSS performs research and development works for the region, country and Europe. These works are carried out in areas related to the development of computer networks, data storage systems, grid infrastructures and HPC (High Performance Computing), including aspects related to the safety of these infrastructures, as well as researching new technologies and optimizing scientific applications. 

The Centre also provides services related to the security of IT systems. It participates in the PIONIER CERT and EGI-CSIRT projects. The computing resources and technological solutions of WCSS are part of Polish and European research infrastructures, incl. PIONIER, EGI, E-SCIENCE.PL, KMD, GÉANT and PRACE.

The unit also carries out a number of trainings in the field of its basic activity. WCSS offers its services to universities, research institutes, state institutions and other public and private entities.

Wrocław Centre for Networking and Supercomputing was established in 1994. It was launched by the then Rector of Wrocław University of Science and Technology on the basis of an agreement between Wrocław universities and research institutions regarding the construction of the Wrocław Academic Computer Network (WASK) and of High-Performance Computers (Komputery Dużej Mocy – KDM). Its operation as an independent unit started on July 1, 1995.

The main tasks of the new institution were the operation and development of WASK and KDM, which are the foundations of the modern IT infrastructure for Polish science. The majority of the then staff was a group of people who operated the so-called general university resources at the WUST IT Centre, and earlier the WUST Computing Centre, which was established in 1972.

In December 1995, WCSS commissioned the first IBM SP2 supercomputer, which was included in the TOP 500 list in 1996. The Centre also developed the first e-mail system for Wrocław University of Science and Technology, which is still in use today, regularly developed and provided with new functionalities. Over time, the unit also started providing services to external clients, offering its network services to Wrocław public entities.

A breakthrough in the activity of the Centre was the commissioning of a new server room, which is constantly being expanded and accommodates clusters of enormous computing power. They allow the analyzing and modeling of big data sets, e.g. in the field of astrochemistry, medicine, mechanics and solid state physics. The power of the supercomputers in the Centre also makes it possible to simulate processes that would be impossible to perform in a laboratory.

WCSS has become the operator of the WASK network, which now allows access to the national PIONIER network, the European GÉANT2 and the global Internet, and has connection points with many telecom operators.

After establishing the Information Security Team, the WCSS agenda developed to include activities extremely important in the modern IT world. As a result, the clients of the Centre receive support in securing their IT systems and assistance in coping with the increasing number of threats in cyberspace. 

On the other hand, the establishment of the Project Maintenance Team facilitated the research activity of the unit. Currently, the Centre implements projects financed, among others, from the following funds: the Horizon 2020 program, the Intelligent Development Operational Program, the Digital Poland Operational Program, the National Center for Research and Development, the European Commission.