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Myricom Announces Support for Microsoft Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003; Long-Standing Relationship Evolves to Include Next-Generation HPC Solutions

Posted on: Tuesday, 15 November 2005, 09:00 CST

At the SC|05 event in Seattle this week, Myricom, Inc. formally announced support for the Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003 developed by Microsoft Corp. for new and traditional users of High Performance Computing (HPC). Myricom's widely deployed Myrinet-2000 cluster-network technology and next-generation Myri-10G solutions are available and being tested with Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003 to deliver fast, affordable, turnkey solutions for HPC and other demanding cluster applications. Demonstrations featuring Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003 and the newly available Myri-10G offerings are on display in the Microsoft (1206-1208) and Myricom (436) booths at SC|05.

By simplifying the deployment and management of clusters, Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003 bridges the gap between traditional research-driven HPC applications and the growing demands of commercial industries such as finance, oil and gas, bio sciences, and manufacturing. To the same end, Myricom's newly available Myri-10G solutions combine the performance advantages inherent in the Myrinet technology used in thousands of clusters worldwide with the ubiquity and affordability of Ethernet. Addressing the growing demand for speed and simplicity among both new and existing users of clusters, the companies' latest offerings provide "plug and play" installation and deliver high performance at the industry's most compelling price points.

"Microsoft and Myricom have been working on bringing high performance computing solutions to the users in a variety of demanding HPC scenarios, including government and academia," said Kyril Faenov, director of high performance computing at Microsoft Corp. "As our relationship advances to include next-generation solutions targeting mainstream commercial businesses, we'll work together to deliver the speed, simplicity, and cost-performance needed to make clusters a viable option for mainstream enterprises as well."

Flexible, Comprehensive Support for Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003

As a pioneer in clustering applications, Myricom has worked with Microsoft on HPC deployments for nearly a decade, maintaining extensive support for clusters running Windows operating systems. For deployment flexibility, software options include running IP-over-Myrinet via the Windows IP protocol stack and, using the new Myri-10G products, either 10-Gigabit Myrinet or native 10-Gigabit Ethernet. Myricom solutions support a broad range of popular middleware libraries including MPI, DAPL, and Sockets.

By utilizing Myrinet-2000 or Myri-10G in Myrinet mode, enterprises can realize significant performance advantages. Cluster applications based on Sockets communication can use Myricom's Winsock Direct (WSD) provider, which operates over the Myrinet Express (MX) message-passing system. MX uses kernel bypass to allow applications direct, "zero-copy" access to the network for low latency, low host-CPU overhead, and high throughput. Myricom network-interface cards (NICs) include processors and firmware that enable kernel bypass, and that also offload network protocol processing from the host computer. Because Sockets calls are standardized, these performance benefits are realized with the same binary application programs that may alternatively use Sockets over TCP/IP over Ethernet.

The WSD provider over MX achieves industry-low latencies below 10usec round-trip, and near line-rate bandwidth performance. In addition, the setup and teardown time of Sockets applications is accomplished 4-5 times faster over Myrinet than when using Ethernet. Target applications for WSD-MX implementations include distributed databases (SQL) and MPI (Message Passing Interface) applications used in technical computing.

"The aspect of Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003 that we most admire is the way in which it leverages Sockets communication through Winsock Direct for high-speed, low-latency networks such as Myrinet-2000 and Myri-10G," says Dr. Chuck Seitz, founder and CEO of Myricom. "The Winsock Direct software interface gives end users the ability to install and run application binaries with different software versions and different cluster networks, and will also simplify life for application developers. Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003 provides a platform that is easy to deploy, operate, and integrate with existing infrastructures."

SC|05: A First Look at the Next Generation

Demonstrations on display in the Microsoft and Myricom booths at the SC|05 exhibit being held at the Washington State Convention Center and Trade Center, November 14th -17th, will feature the latest HPC solutions from both companies in conjunction with hardware and application software from other leaders and partners. Myricom will showcase a cluster running Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003 with Myri-10G in Myrinet mode to demonstrate low latency and other performance advantages. The demonstration in the Microsoft booth will include high-speed Myri-10G NICs in Ethernet mode operating with a 10-Gigabit Ethernet switch from Foundry Networks.

About Myricom (www.myri.com)

Founded in 1994, Myricom, Inc. created Myrinet, the high-performance computing (HPC) interconnect technology used in thousands of computing clusters in more than 50 countries worldwide. With its next-generation Myri-10G solutions, Myricom is bridging the gap between the rigorous demands of traditional HPC applications and the growing need for affordable computing speed in mainstream enterprises. Privately held, Myricom achieved and has sustained profitability since 1995 with forty-two consecutive profitable quarters through September 2005. Based in Arcadia, California, Myricom solutions are sold direct and through channels. Myrinet clusters are supplied by OEM computer companies including IBM, HP, Dell, and Sun, and by other leading cluster integrators worldwide.

All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.

Source: Business Wire

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