INDUSTRY

Topspin Communications today debuted Grid-to-Go, a program to deliver an open standards-based starter-kit for rapid, easy deployment of utility computing in the enterprise. Grid-to-Go can be used with commodity servers, and includes all of the infrastructure and software required for a grid architecture that unifies applications, servers, and storage. Compared with existing proprietary utility computing solutions, the Topspin solution offers comparable functionality with better performance and greater scalability-- all at as little as approximately 1/20th the cost. Topspin server switch technology creates a scalable, flexible fabric for building a grid out of industry standard server, storage, and I/O resources. Whether attached via Ethernet, Fibre Channel, or InfiniBand, the server switch can seamlessly map these resources together into virtual servers, which can then be automatically provisioned with the right application(s). With Topspin’s VFrame™ software, the server switch can be programmed with business policies to determine the conditions for creating different types of virtual servers and with which applications to load them. This utility computing capability enables an unprecedented level of application scaling, rapid deployment, and resource consolidation. Additionally, by consolidating LAN and SAN adapters, cables and ports through a single server switch fabric customers can achieve an immediate ROI. Topspin customer case studies show that for a 150-node cluster, this Multi-Fabric I/O alone delivers enough cost savings to pay for the Topspin technology outright. "Grid or utility computing is gaining traction in the mainstream enterprise," said Stu Aaron, vice president of marketing, Topspin. "With Grid-to-Go, we make it easy for customers to get started in an open and extremely flexible fashion. Once they’ve selected their servers and storage, they can start with as little as four or eight nodes and scale to several thousand." The Grid-to-Go program offers customers two options to choose from, a Full Rack, or a Half Rack: The Full Rack option offers everything needed to provide the utility computing infrastructure to support up to 24 servers, and includes the following: - One Topspin 360 Server Switch, a flexible high availability I/O chassis capable of supporting up to 24 InfiniBand-attached servers and up to 12 expansion slots for Ethernet and Fibre Channel Gateways, providing the "backbone" for the solution - One Topspin EX Ethernet Gateway providing six Gigabit Ethernet Ports for connecting the "Grid-to-Go" infrastructure to Ethernet LANs and/or Network Attached Storage (NAS) - One Topspin FC Fibre Channel Gateway providing two 1Gbps or 2Gbps Fibre Channel Ports for connecting the "Grid-to-Go" infrastructure to Fibre Channel Storage - Twenty-four 10Gbps InfiniBand Host Channel Adapters (HCAs) for PCI-X with remote boot capabilities - Twenty-four 3M InfiniBand cables - Topspin VFrame™ Director with 0-25 Node License - Optional installation services are available at an additional cost Pricing for a full rack is $64,995. The Half Rack option offers a lower entry point, providing the following utility computing infrastructure to support up to 12 servers: - One Topspin 360 Server Switch with 12 InfiniBand ports - One Topspin EX Ethernet Gateway providing six Gigabit Ethernet Ports for connecting the "Grid-to-Go" infrastructure to Ethernet LANs and/or Network Attached Storage (NAS) - One Topspin FC Fibre Channel Gateway providing two 1Gbps or 2Gbps Fibre Channel Ports for connecting the "Grid-to-Go" infrastructure to Fibre Channel Storage - Twelve 10Gbps InfiniBand Host Channel Adapters (HCAs) for PCI-X with remote boot capabilities - Twelve 3M InfiniBand cables - Topspin VFrame™ Director with 0-12 Node License - Optional Installation services are available at an additional cost Pricing for a half rack is $43,995. With both options customers need only provide their appropriate servers and storage of choice. "Topspin's Grid-to-Go is a good option for enterprises wishing to realize the benefits of utility computing, while using trusted industry standard servers and storage," said Brian Garrett, technical director, Enterprise Strategy Group. "This also allows them to use their legacy data center resources, instead of incurring the costs of 'forklifting' in new boxes. With this sort of easier-to-deploy, affordable solution we will begin to see the fulfillment in the enterprise of the visions for grid or utility computing from the major system vendors." Availability The Grid-to-Go program and special pricing will run through December 2004. Contact a local Topspin sales representative for more information and supported configurations, or call 1-866-TOPSPIN. Program details are also available at http://www.topspin.com/solutions/gridtogo.html.