Date: Thu, 6 Jul 2000 20:49:16 -0600 (MDT) From: Dan Burcaw <dburcaw@terraplex.com> To: lwn@lwn.net Subject: Black Lab Linux 8-node G4 Cluster at MacWorld NY: 06 July 2000 TERRA SOFT SOLUTIONS TO DEMONSTRATE 8-NODE BLACK LAB CLUSTER Loveland, CO -- 06 July 2000 -- Terra Soft Solutions, Inc., the leading developer of Linux solutions for PowerPC(TM) microprocessors, will demonstrate a rack-mounted, 8-node, Apple G4 cluster running Black Lab Linux with Myricom's high-performance networking fabric. In the general vicinity of the Apple Science & Technology pavillion, booth 2247, MacWorld attendees will find an iBook running Black Lab Linux and displaying computation intensive images generated on the 8-node supercomputer --with only AirPort to connect the iBook to the cluster. "We first introduced Black Lab Linux to MacWorld NY attendees in 1999 with three G3 systems. Following the success of the 4-node system demonstrated throughout the Apple Science & Technology Roadshow, this is the first publicly showcased 8-node, 500 MHz G4 cluster," states Kai Staats, CEO Terra Soft Solutions, Inc. Black Lab Linux offers the ability to connect a half dozen to over 1,000 Apple G4s in parallel. And with Myricom's "Myrinet" networking fabric, which consists of a PCI card, cables, and custom switches, these supercomputing systems enjoy a low latency, 160 MB (not Mb) per second dedicated throughput per channel. Marathon Computer (booth 2155) will provide the rack-mount frame and accessories to mount the 8-node system. With a recent surge in user base, Terra Soft has gained Black Lab Linux customers General Dynamics, MIT, Smithsonian, NASA, JPL, Northrop Grumman, Sandia, and Lawrence Livermore Labs to name a few. The recent support of AirPort offers increased flexibility for system admins to monitor their serial and parallel systems outside of the traditional server environment. Troy Benjegerdes, lead developer of Black Lab Linux states, "For the first time in three MacWorlds, I will be able to run demos AND visit other booths at the same time." Many thanks to Benjamin Herrenschmidt for his effort toward the support of AirPort technology. About Terra Soft Solutions, Inc. Terra Soft Solutions, Inc. is a leading developer of innovative technologies for PowerPC Linux. Black Lab Linux provides an advanced Linux distribution for development, parallel computing, and embedded systems. For more information, please visit http://www.terrasoftsolutions.com and http://www.blacklablinux.com Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. PowerPC is a trademark of IBM Corp. Motorola is a registered trademark and AltiVec is a trademark of Motorola. Apple, AirPort, and iBook are registered trademarks of Apple Computer Inc. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.