InfiniCon Systems, the premier provider of I/O virtualization and clustering solutions for next-generation server networks, announced today that Penguin Computing - a leader in designing and deploying scalable, Linux-based clusters for the high performance computing (HPC) market - has joined InfiniCon's Authorized Solutions Alliance Partner (ASAP) program. The agreement enables Penguin Computing to immediately market and resell InfiniCon's complete InfinIO(TM) family of 10- to 30-Gbps InfiniBand-based solutions as the networking infrastructure for a wide range of computational and commercial HPC and database clustering applications. Bolstered by advances in commodity processor technology and bandwidth-rich interconnects like InfiniBand, Linux-based clustering has established impressive traction recently within the high performance computing segment - transitioning from niche deployments in vertical markets to the core of the corporate data center. Industry research firm IDC estimates that the market for Linux clusters will grow to over $1.4 billion by 2005. Since its inception in 1998, Penguin Computing has specialized in providing scalable, high-performance computing systems to Fortune 1000 companies, educational institutions, and government agencies. In 2003, Penguin acquired Scyld Software, the technology leader in Beowulf cluster management software - recognized among the most specialized of all open-source applications. "Through our acquisition of Scyld and new partnership with InfiniCon Systems, Penguin is positioned to address the high end of the HPC market with clustering solutions that provide end users with the most complete, rock-solid management framework for Linux deployments and an unequalled ability to scale computing power," said Enrico Pesatori, president and chief executive officer of Penguin Computing. Penguin Computing will be showcasing InfiniCon's InfinIO 3000 Switch Series in Booth 201 at the ClusterWorld Conference and Expo (San Jose, April 6-8). The 3000 Switch (32 InfiniBand ports in a 1U chassis) will provide a 10Gbps interconnect for a Scyld Beowulf cluster. "InfiniBand has clearly come of age in the cluster computing arena, surpassing older proprietary interconnects on the strength of its unmatched performance, standards-based industry-wide support, and roadmap which extends to 100Gbps capability," stated Charles Foley, executive vice president of InfiniCon Systems. "Penguin's selection of our InfinIO offerings is further indication of the position that InfiniCon has established as the most robust, scalable InfiniBand solutions available, with proven production sites around the globe."