From:	 "Brad Rutledge" <brutledge@linuxnetworx.com>
To:	 "lwn@lwn.net" <lwn@lwn.net>
Subject: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Adds Supercomputing
Power to ASCI Project with Linux Cluster Computer Contract
Date:	 Tue, 28 Aug 2001 08:47:03 -0700

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Adds Supercomputing Power to ASCI
Project with Linux Cluster Computer Contract 
>>From Linux NetworX and SGI Federal

LINUXWORLD EXPO BOOTH #1079, SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 28, 2001 ¾ SGI Federal, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of SGI (NYSE: SGI), the leading provider of
high-performance computing and visualization solutions for technical and
creative users, has teamed up with Linux cluster computing expert Linux
NetworX to win a bid to build three Parallel Capacity Resource (PCR) Linux
cluster computing systems totaling 472 Pentium 4 processors for the
National Nuclear Security Administration's Accelerated Strategic Computing
Initiative (ASCI) ongoing computing element. With a theoretical peak
performance of 857 gigaFLOP/s, the largest of the three systems with 252
Pentium 4 processors, named PCR P4A, will be one the fastest Linux clusters
ever built.

Linux clustering, an alternative to traditional supercomputing, is a method
of linking multiple computers together to form a unified and very powerful
system.

By taking advantage of standard computer components, Linux clusters can match 
the performance of supercomputers for a fraction of the cost. 

In its latest effort to boost parallel capacity computing power for ASCI's
ongoing computing element, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)
will have two of the three Linux clusters working on the project, while a
third will be used as a joint development cluster with Linux NetworX and
SGI Federal for open source projects.

"The clustering expertise and management tools delivered by Linux NetworX
along with SGI Federal's project management background and support
infrastructure created a very powerful and cost-effective solution to meet
our requirements," said Dr. Mark Seager, LLNL's Asst. Dept. Head for
TeraScale Systems. "As LLNL continues to add to parallel capacity resources
cluster management becomes a more critical issue, which is why we required
the ICE Boxä management tool from Linux NetworX."

ASCI is a ten-year program to reach 100-trillion calculations per second by
2005 that will enable scientists at the national-security laboratory to
maintain the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile by
simulating - in three dimensions - the aging and operation of nuclear
weapons.

"SGI's experience in delivering high-performance computing solutions has
played an important role over the years in supporting DOE's ASCI Program to
ensure the continued safety, reliability and performance of America's
nuclear stockpile," said Randy Stefano, vice president, professional
services, SGI. "Partnered with Linux NetworX and Lawrence Livermore
National Laboratory, we are set to embark on another great engineering
milestone by helping to build one of the world's fastest Linux clusters
while demonstrating the benefits of open-source Linux for affordable
high-performance computing."

Linux NetworX designed and built the world's first commercial Linux cluster
in 1997, and has developed cluster management tools to make systems easier
to manage.  In the request for proposal, LLNL required a specific Linux
NetworX cluster management tool, called ICE Boxä, which is being previewed
for the first time at LinuxWorld Expo booth #1079.

"We're excited to be teaming up with SGI Federal to deliver this
high-powered Linux cluster to ASCI's ongoing computing element at LLNL,"
said Glen Lowry, Linux NetworX President and CEO. "Empowering cluster
management tools are proving to be an important factor in the wider
adoption of Linux clustering into existing and new markets."

As a result of this combined win, SGI Federal and Linux NetworX established
a joint vendor relationship where the two companies will team up to win
large cluster bids requiring the expertise and cluster management tools of
Linux NetworX, and the support resources of SGI Federal.
For specific system details, visit www.linuxnetworx.com.


About Linux NetworX

Linux NetworX (www.linuxnetworx.com) brings its powerful and easy-to-manage
cluster technology 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.

About SGI

SGI, also known as Silicon Graphics, Inc., is a technology solutions
provider with a broad range of high-performance computing, advanced
graphics and consulting services that enable its technical and creative
customers to maintain a competitive advantage in their core
businesses. Whether being used to design and build safer cars and
airplanes, discover new medications and oil reserves, help us understand
and better predict the weather, or entertain us with thrilling movie
special effects, SGI™ systems and expertise are empowering a world of
innovation and discovery. The company, which is located on the Web at
www.sgi.com, is headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., and has offices
worldwide.

Linux Cluster Overview:

Each node within the cluster contains QsNet ELAN3 by Quadrics Supercomputer
World, 2 GB of RDRAM memory per node, 81 GB Disk Space. OSCAR V1.1 and
ClusterWorX and ICE Box will also be used to help LLNL manage and maintain
the clusters. Below is the breakdown of the three Linux cluster system
specs.

PCR (Parallel Computing Resource) P4A
· 126 dual nodes with 252 Pentium 4 Xeon processors with 1.7 GHz
· OSCAR V1.1 and ClusterWorX from Linux NetworX management software
· ICE Box intelligent hardware management tool from Linux NetworX

Second System: PCR P4B Production Cluster
· 86 dual nodes with 172 Pentium 4 Xeon processors with 1.7 GHz
· OSCAR V1.1 and ClusterWorX from Linux NetworX management software
· ICE Box intelligent hardware management tool from Linux NetworX

Third System: PCR Development Cluster
*This cluster will be used for joint development of open source projects
between Linux NetworX, LLNL, and SGI FEDERAL (specifically Parallel File
System, and LinuxBIOS)
· 24 dual nodes with 48 Pentium 4 Xeon processors with 1.7 GHz
· OSCAR V1.1 and ClusterWorX from Linux NetworX management software
· ICE Box intelligent hardware management tool from Linux NetworX

# # #

SGI and the SGI logo are trademarks of Silicon Graphics, Inc. Intel is a
registered trademark of Intel Corporation. Linux is a registered trademark
of Linus Torvalds.  All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property
of their respective owners.

Contact:
Brad Rutledge		
Linux NetworX		
801-562-1010 ext. 218
mobile 801-652-4120