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Addition of SGI Altix XE Cluster Creates Cost-Effective, End-to-End Workflow Solution for Engineering Analysis

Posted on: Monday, 26 June 2006, 12:00 CDT

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With the introduction of a new line of Intel(R) Xeon(R) processor-based clusters, Silicon Graphics is now able to extend its solution within Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) beyond the application areas where the SGI(R) Altix(R) system is already an established industry-leading platform. The complementary offering of an SGI(R) Altix(R) XE x86-64 cluster solution in the Linux(R) environment means that SGI can provide a complete end-to-end solution that is highly optimized for improved productivity in the engineering workflow. Moreover, compute servers based on SGI Altix and Altix XE clusters can be seamlessly integrated using SGI(R) InfiniteStorage solutions, enabling an efficient data management scheme for both capability and capacity workflows, allowing customers to reduce costs and speed overall product development.

While low-cost "white box" clusters have been a popular solution, many companies are finding a lack of timely support or nonexistent support after installation of these inexpensive point solutions. However, SGI is a complete workflow solution provider that offers deep application domain expertise in the overall solution, backed 100 percent by SGI's world-renowned customer service organization.

"The SGI Altix XE system is not just a cluster solution," said Himanshu Misra, segment manager, engineering analysis, SGI. "While it is built around SGI's proven, high-performance server architecture, the differentiation comes from a combination of how it's integrated, how it works and how it drives improved productivity, all of which come from the in-depth application knowledge that resides in SGI's CAE team. We have the expertise and a decades-long history of reliably installing, integrating and servicing our products worldwide. As end-users attempt complex simulations involving multidisciplinary analysis, for example, SGI's ability to customize the workflow with the right mix of Altix XE and Altix servers and InfiniteStorage will be instrumental in enabling customers to maximize their IT investments."

Industry-leading CAE independent software vendors (ISVs) applaud the SGI Altix XE cluster, which is based on the new Intel Xeon dual-core processor architecture, as this translates to the deployment of complete solutions to customers leveraging a combination of Altix XE, Altix, and InfiniteStorage.

"LSTC and SGI have worked together for years to leverage top performance from SGI hardware and LSTC software to deliver benefits for LS-DYNA users. LSTC is excited to continue this work with SGI, building on the outstanding performance and scalability available today on the SGI Altix server platform, and expanding to include the new SGI Altix XE x86 cluster platform," said John O. Hallquist, President, LSTC.

"In order to bring products to market faster, at lower costs, and with improved quality and reliability, global manufacturers are increasingly relying on the use of advanced enterprise simulation technologies and high performance computing," said Dr. Reza Sadeghi, vice president, product development, MSC.Software Corp. "The combination of SGI Altix, the new SGI Altix XE x86 cluster products and SGI InfiniteStorage for data-intensive environments along with MSC.Software's suite of enterprise simulation tools including MD Nastran, provide a complete, optimized environment for the design of complex engineered systems that require multidisciplinary analysis in a cost effective and timely manner."

"Our customers continue to demand faster and more realistic simulation results, yet the increasing size and complexity of their models is driving demand for greater computing speed and power," said Ken Short, vice president of strategy and marketing, ABAQUS, Inc. "ABAQUS has been ahead of the curve in providing new methods and technology capable of replacing legacy applications, taking advantage of high-performance computing environments, and accelerating the prediction of real-world product behavior. We are excited to be able to leverage the performance improvements of the new SGI Altix XE x86 clusters to meet the product development demands of our customers."

"The introduction of SGI's x86-based Altix XE systems offers SGI an expanded relevance in the CFD market segment. The STAR-CD and STAR-CCM+ customer installed base now has the flexibility to choose from a combination of SGI's Altix systems based on Xeon and Itanium microprocessors, depending on their computational needs," said Steve MacDonald, President of CD-adapco.

"Hoff & Associates is excited to add the SGI Altix XE x86 cluster product to our High-Performance Compute Solutions offerings," said Dr. Curtis Hoff, President, Hoff & Associates, Inc. "Our customers' HPC requirements are continuously expanding and the combination of the new SGI Altix XE x86 cluster and the existing SGI Altix shared-memory systems and InfiniteStorage products provide the ultimate flexibility in designing our HPC Solutions. With 16 years of experience in the CAE industry, we have a unique ability to offer Turnkey Compute Solutions for CAE users and SGI's wide product offerings enable us to develop solutions with no compromises in value or performance."

View a demonstration of the SGI Altix XE system at the Intel "Create.Build.Thrive." event at the Detroit Institute of Arts, in Detroit on June 27, 2006 (visit http://www.createbuildthrive.com/ for more information).

For more information about SGI Altix XE solutions visit http://www.sgi.com/products/servers/altix/xe/ or call 1-800-800-7441.

SILICON GRAPHICS | The Source of Innovation and Discovery(TM)

SGI, also known as Silicon Graphics, Inc. , is a leader in high-performance computing. SGI helps customers solve their computing challenges, whether it's sharing images to aid in brain surgery, designing and manufacturing safer and more efficient cars and airplanes, studying global climate, providing technologies for homeland security and defense, enabling the transition from analog to digital broadcasting, or helping enterprises manage large data. With offices worldwide, the company is headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., and can be found on the Web at http://www.sgi.com/.

NOTE: Silicon Graphics, SGI, Altix, the SGI cube and the SGI logo are registered trademarks, and The Source of Innovation and Discovery is a trademark of Silicon Graphics, Inc., in the United States and/or other countries worldwide. Intel and Xeon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

The discussion in this news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including the impact of competitive products and pricing, the efforts of third parties in developing, supporting, and promoting their products, and the other risks detailed from time to time in the company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-Q and 10-K. Actual results may vary materially.

MEDIA CONTACT Lisa Pistacchio pistacchio@sgi.com 650.933.5683 SGI PR HOTLINE 650.933.7777 SGI PR FACSIMILE 650.933.0317

SGI

CONTACT: Lisa Pistacchio, +1-650-933-5683, or pistacchio@sgi.com, or PRHotline, +1-650-933-7777, or PR Facsimile, +1-650-933-0317, all of SGI

Web site: http://www.sgi.com/

Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall

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