BIG DATA

AMD64 technology to improve Continental’s high-performance computing cluster, design workstations and desktop systems -- At CeBIT, AMD and Continental AG unveiled Continental’s deployment of AMD64 technology-based servers, workstations and desktop systems from HP. Continental AG is a leading supplier of automotive brake systems, chassis components, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers. The company depends on a high-performance IT infrastructure to keep pace with the immense speed of innovation and high development-related demands in its competitive industry. “Continental AG Research & Development Department began using Dual-Core AMD Opteron™ processors in October 2005. Since that time, our new high-performance computing cluster has achieved impressive performance,” said Dr. Steffen Förster, head of IT, Research & Development Competence Center at Continental AG. “AMD has supported us by creating not only the best dual-core processor-based systems, but also delivered special codes to fine-tune our R&D applications. We now benefit from the maximum optimized performance of our cluster with no additional costs for cooling and ventilation. Thanks to AMD’s native dual-core technology, we are able to complete more tasks in a far shorter time, significantly improving our profitability, our products and ultimately securing our competitive edge on the market. The only downside is that the cluster is so fast, we don’t even have time for a coffee break!” “AMD worked with Continental in a pilot project last year to set up their compute cluster with HP ProLiant server blades based on Dual-Core AMD Opteron processors,” said Alberto Macchi, corporate vice president, Europe sales & marketing, AMD. “After conducting in-depth performance and benchmark tests with an array of different system configurations, they are deploying a full range of server, workstation and desktop systems to fully reap the true performance benefits and energy savings of AMD64 technology.” Continental’s IT Competence Center, R&D Tire, is basing its future x86 server systems on Dual-Core AMD Opteron processor-based HP ProLiant BL25p, BL35p and BL45p server blades. Their server farm operates as a Finite Element Method (FEM) calculation computer for tire wear simulation. In addition, the Dual-Core AMD Opteron processor-based HP ProLiant server blades are helping Continental launch a global tire specification system. A significant consolidation of the terminal server environment is anticipated from the use of Dual-Core AMD Opteron processors with AMD PowerNow! technology. AMD PowerNow! technology can reduce CPU power consumption by up to 75 percent during idle time, to help decrease the strain on datacenter cooling and ventilation systems and help minimize overall power consumption. Continental AG’s Automotive Systems Division chose to replace existing systems with Dual-Core AMD Opteron processor-based HP xw9300 Workstations. The scientists, engineers and developers’ workstations offer optimized Dual PCI-Express x16 graphics and were earmarked during internal evaluations as delivering optimum performance at ultra-low noise levels and power consumption. Continental’s IT decision makers also chose to equip employees with HP dx5150 desktop systems based on AMD Athlon 64 and AMD Sempron processors for enormous power savings and impressive system performance.