Quadrics to produce interconnect for HP BladeSystem c-Class clusters

Quadrics Ltd is pleased to announce its intention to develop a new generation QsNet III interconnect for highly scalable, high-performance computing (HPC) clusters based on the HP BladeSystem c-Class architecture. The QsNetIII interconnect has been designed to provide scalable performance for the most challenging HPC workloads, delivering low latency and high bandwidth. QsNetIII additionally offers increased bandwidth and message rate, scaling to larger system sizes at lower cost. HP BladeSystem c-Class clusters provide high-performance servers based on industry standard processors from Intel and AMD, with I/O capabilities that enable the use of high-performance cluster interconnects, in combination with extensive manageability and efficient power and cooling. With broad acceptance in HPC clusters, the HP BladeSystem c-Class achieved 134 entries in the November 2007 TOP500 list, including two systems in the top five. QsNetIII provides unique capabilities that enable highly efficient and scalable clusters, including full bandwidth interconnect within each BladeSystem enclosure, with the option to extend this full bi-section bandwidth across the whole system or to trade bandwidth for reduced system cost. QsNetIII builds on the HPC specific communications features found in today’s QsNetII systems, including low latency, high issue rate adapters and network support for adaptive routing as well as hardware barrier and broadcast. “More and more users are implementing blade-based HPC systems,” said Giovanni Trezza, chairman, Quadrics. “This exciting new project with HP paves the way for delivery of a new generation of scalable, manageable, power efficient systems.” The QsNetIII implementation will include a mezzanine adapter for each blade server, an interconnect switch internal to the enclosure, and external top switches connecting up to 256 enclosures, 4096 blades with up to 32,768 cores. The decision to develop a BladeSystem interconnect specifically for HPC users builds on a long relationship between Quadrics and HP that has delivered numerous production systems capable of running the most demanding applications. “The years-long collaboration between Quadrics and HP has provided unique benefits to our mutual customers,” said Ed Turkel, manager of product marketing, High Performance Computing, HP. “The combination of our technologies will provide new capabilities that will enable a next generation of HPC clusters that are highly scalable and efficient, delivering new levels of business and research outcomes.” Software support for HP BladeSystem c-Class clusters configured with QsNetIII will include the HP XC Linux cluster software, the Quadrics RMS run time system, HP MPI, Quadrics Shmem, HP UPC and the Lustre parallel file system. A large variety of software development and resource management tools will also be available. For further information on QsNet products family and other Quadrics' products mailto: sales@quadrics.com or visit Booth #1737 during SC07. For more information on Quadrics, visit our web site at www.quadrics.com