Linux Networx opens state-of-the-art Solutions Center and cluster manufacturing facility

EDP Weekly's IT Monitor, August 18, 2003

Solutions Center to be Used by Customers and Partners for Education and Validation

At a grand opening event, Linux Networx announced recently the opening of the Linux Networx Solutions Center and state-of-the-art computer integration and system staging facility. The Solutions Center allows Linux Networx customers and partners to explore the latest cluster technology, experiment with clustering configurations and evaluate application and hardware optimization options. The new Linux Networx facility includes a manufacturing area with the capacity to stage up to 50 teraflops of computing power simultaneously.

The Linux Networx Solutions Center will serve as an education and validation resource for cluster technology, and is sponsored by Intel, Abaqus, DataDirect, Fabric Networks, Fluent, Foundry Networks, Magma, Mellanox Technologies, Micron, Myricom, Oracle, SuperMicro and Seagate. The Solutions Center is opening with a 72-node Intel Xeon processor-based cluster and a 17-node Itanium 2 processor-based cluster. Each node has Myrinet, InfiniBand and GigE interconnect options. Linux Networx will continue to work with other partners to expand the capabilities of the facility.

Linux Networx also has a 20-node Intel Xeon processor-based cluster at the Oracle Enterprise Technology Center, where customers can access the entire Oracle technology stack including Oracle 9i DB, Oracle 9i RAC, Oracle 9i AS, the Oracle Collaboration Suite and the Oracle 11i e-business suite. European customers can utilize a Linux Networx 64-node Intel Xeon processor-based cluster at the Fraunhofer-Institut fur Techno-und Wirtschaftsmathematik (Fraunhofer-ITWM) in Germany.

"The new Linux Networx facility and Solutions Center coupled with the systems at Oracle and Fraunhofer-ITWM show Linux Networx is a knowledge leader in cluster technology and our customers and will benefit by using these resources to experiment with different clustering configurations," said Dick Linville, vice president of corporate development for Linux Networx. "It is all about speed to market on great systems, and Linux Networx is dedicated to offering customers and partners the resources necessary to address their computational requirements with state-of-the-art cluster technology and management solutions."

"Intel is excited to work with Linux Networx and others to open the Linux Networx Solutions Center," said John Davies, vice president, Solutions Market Development Group, Intel. "Together we will demonstrate how powerful Intel processors combined with Linux Networx clustering technology will enable independent software vendors, commercial businesses, government laboratories and researchers to reach their goals more rapidly."

"Oracle and Linux Networx have a unique opportunity to show the entire Oracle technology stack on a Linux Networx solution at the Oracle Enterprise Technology Center (ETC)," said Jim Olsen, director of operations for the Oracle ETC. "Linux Networx has provided an environment capable of both scalability and high availability for all levels of computing within the Oracle ETC."

The Linux Networx manufacturing facility features fast and efficient node assembly and integration, with the capability to produce more than 4,000 nodes at one time. A raised floor simulates customer's data centers and computing environments, and is ideal for complete system testing and integration.