Los Alamos National Laboratory Selects Linux NetworX to Build 10 teraFLOP Linux Supercomputer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 23, 2002 - Linux NetworX announced today it has been
selected to build, integrate and deliver a 1,024-processor Linux cluster for
Los Alamos National Laboratory. Dubbed "The Science Appliance" by the
Laboratory's researchers, the cluster is a model for future supercomputing
systems that will support the Laboratory's mission of stewardship of the
nation's nuclear weapons stockpile. When delivered, the cluster is expected
to be one of the five fastest supercomputers in the world at 10 trillion
operations per second.
"Future supercomputers must be cost-effective, efficient and easy to enhance
and scale. Scalable supercomputing systems that run proprietary operating
systems clearly are a thing of the past," said Bill Feiereisen, leader of Los
Alamos' Computer and Computational Sciences Division. "Instead of buying a
complete proprietary computing system, we are looking toward a future in
which a robust set of integrated, open source software tools enables us to
assemble a truly scalable supercomputer from components that best meet our
needs. We are excited by the new partnership with Linux NetworX to help
advance these goals."
When delivered, the Linux NetworX Evolocity(TM) cluster will be the largest
system ever to deploy LinuxBIOS on diskless nodes. LinuxBIOS, an open source
BIOS alternative developed by Los Alamos with key contributions from Linux
NetworX and others, replaces the proprietary BIOS with an open source BIOS
that makes clusters easier to install and manage. Linux NetworX will be
responsible for implementing several LinuxBIOS enhancements and for porting
LinuxBIOS to the platform.
LinuxBIOS allows each node to operate without a hard disk. The absence of
disks on individual nodes decreases the number of components within the
system that can fail or generate heat, significantly increasing the
reliability of the system.
"LinuxBIOS greatly simplifies cluster systems," said Ron Minnich, team leader
for cluster research at Los Alamos' Advanced Computing Laboratory "The
success of open source projects, such as LinuxBIOS, are crucial to improving
clustering technology."
Purchase of the "Science Appliance" was funded by the National Nuclear
Security Administration's Advanced Simulation and Computing program. The
Linux NetworX cluster will be used solely for unclassified computing,
including testing on ASCI-relevant unclassified applications, and will serve
as a prototype for future supercomputers that will use simulation and
visualization tools to maintain the aging U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile
without underground nuclear testing.
The experimental cluster system will give Los Alamos researchers
opportunities to improve the open source software environment, parallel file
systems and ancillary operating system software to prepare for future
classified supercomputers.
"The cluster to be delivered to Los Alamos is another demonstration of how
Linux NetworX is being recognized for its expertise and contributions to the
clustering community," said Stephen Hill, Linux NetworX President and CEO.
"We are excited to be continually developing clustering technology and
management tools to help organizations such as Los Alamos maximize their
cluster supercomputing investment."
For more specific detail on the supercomputer Linux NetworX is building for
Los Alamos National Laboratory, visit http://www.lnxi.com/news/lanl_info.php
About Los Alamos
Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by the University of California
for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the U.S.
Department of Energy and works in partnership with NNSA's Sandia and Lawrence
Livermore national laboratories to support NNSA in its mission. Los Alamos
enhances global security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S.
nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of
mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment,
infrastructure, health and national security concerns.
About Linux NetworX
Linux NetworX (www.linuxnetworx.com) brings its powerful cluster solutions
and empowering management tools to those demanding high performance and high
availability systems. Linux NetworX provides solutions for organizations
involved in oil and gas exploration, aeronautical and chemical modeling,
biotechnology research, graphics rendering and visual effects, Web serving,
ISPs, ASPs, and other technological research fields. Through its innovative
Evolocity hardware, ICE cluster management tools and professional service and
support, Linux NetworX provides end-to-end clustering solutions. To date, the
company has built some of the largest cluster systems in the world, and
boasts numerous Fortune 500 customers.
CONTACT:
Andrea Bingham
Linux NetworX
801-562-1010 ext. 206
abingham@linuxnetworx.com
Jim Danneskiold
Los Alamos National Laboratory
505-667-1640
jdanneskiold@lanl.gov
