NETWORKS

Level 5 Networks, a leading developer of high-speed server interconnect, today announced that it has completed the testing of its high performance Ethernet-based EtherFabric interconnect required to become a supported interconnect for HP-MPI (Message-Passing Interface) v2.2. The joint testing by the two companies established interoperability with HP-MPI, which is expected to deliver accelerated application performance using the combined EtherFabric and HP-MPI. Level 5 Networks interconnect solution is expected to be available to High Performance Computing (HPC) users early next year in HP-MPI v2.2. The popularity and increasing usage of HPCC (high performance computing clusters) and grids, when teamed with Level 5 Networks EtherFabric, creates the fastest standards-based 1 Gb interconnect solution on the market today. EtherFabric already has broad based support among various MPI implementations, so ISVs (independent software vendors) can rely on Level 5 to comply with the demands for speed and reliability of their networked applications. "The speed of innovation and demands on performance by today's advanced computing customer keeps us looking for new ways to meet the needs of the HPC market," said Craig Easley, director of product marketing at Level 5 Networks. "Level 5 Networks provides a standards complaint 1 Gb interconnect solution that meets the performance requirements of the HPC marketplace." The completion of the interoperability testing clears the way for HP-MPI customers to soon access the Level 5 Networks high performance EtherFabric interconnect to increase application performance using standard Ethernet implementations. "Our customers are always on the lookout for standards-based, optimized, low latency Ethernet switching for their high performance computing clusters," said Ed Turkel, manager of product and technology marketing for HP's High Performance Computing Division. "Using Level 5 Networks EtherFabric technology with the HP-MPI delivers outstanding performance for a 1 Gb Ethernet cluster."