Chapel Hill, NC (April 26, 2005) – At today’s 6th annual Linux Clusters – the HPC Revolution 2005, Conference, Absoft Corporation announced a new High Performance Computing Software Development Kit (HPC SDK) optimized for clusters based on AMD’s (NYSE: AMD) 32- and 64-bit AMD Opteron™ processors running Linux. SLES 9 and RHEL 3 will be supported in the first generally available release, planned before the end of June.

The Absoft HPC SDK is a complete solution for software developers to compile, run, debug, and optimize high-performance applications. It includes Fortran and C/C++ compilers from both PathScale and Absoft, debuggers, math libraries, and other supporting development tools. The SDK is configured to provide the simplest installation and the highest performance on AMD Opteron processor-based clusters. It is the only commercially available HPC SDK that combines tools from different vendors to provide customers with the very best solution available.

The HPC SDK includes the industry’s leading software tools optimized for the AMD Opteron processor with Direct Connect Architecture and is preconfigured for the easiest possible installation. Customers can begin using the HPC SDK to leverage their existing hardware and software investments in just 3 easy mouse clicks. Absoft Corporation is the single point of contact to simplify all pre-sale, post-sale and technical support questions related to the HPC SDK.

PathScale and Absoft have executed a special Reseller Agreement whereby Absoft will resell PathScale’s EKOPath Compiler Suite, EKOPath C/C++ Compiler, EKOPath FORTRAN 77/90/95 Compiler, and OptiPath MPI Acceleration Tools bundled with other products from Absoft, including Absoft’s market-leading Fx2 Debugger which is fully compatible with PathScale’s products. The PathScale products will also be enabled with Absoft’s Common License Manager (CLM) which enables the PathScale software to be sold for multiple-user Floating Network Licenses, which are very popular in laboratories and other environments with shared computing resources.

The HPC SDK components include PathScale’s Fortran and C/C++ compilers which generate the industry’s fastest executable code for AMD Opteron processors, Absoft’s Fortran 95 compilers for multi-platform compatibility, the Absoft Fx2 debugger for improved F95/C/C++ debugging, Absoft’s Common Installer for quick and easy installation, the Absoft Modules environment for 32-bit and 64- bit software control, Absoft’s Common License Manager, MPICH2, LAM/MPI, AMD’s Common Math Libraries and 12 months free continuing support. Versions are available for SLES9 or RHEL3. Enhanced versions which incorporate additional third party tools such as performance profilers, cluster math libraries for clusters, and parallel debuggers are under consideration.

“We are glad to partner with innovative companies like Absoft in developing the industry’s first complete HPC SDK of commercial tools specifically designed for AMD Opteron processors. Not only do the PathScale compilers included in the HPC SDK provide developers the ability to deploy the fastest executable applications available on 64-bit hardware but Absoft’s HPC SDK is unique because it supports tools from a variety of commercial and open source vendors, including PathScale and Absoft together. This approach results in the ‘best-of-breed’ most cost-effective and highestperforming solutions for our customers,” said PathScale Chief Executive Officer Scott Metcalf.

“Absoft is pleased to announce this innovative partnership with industry leaders like PathScale and IBM in creating the HPC SDK to leverage the many strengths of different leading vendors into a solution which provides the best-of-breed products available to the customer. Absoft will continue to lead the industry in the development of such tools and leverage its 25 years of multi platform experience to create software solutions with a common look and feel which runs across all of today’s leading HPC environments. We combine the industry’s best tools, a common look and feel and a single point of contact to answer all the questions,” said Absoft CEO Wood Lotz.

“This collaboration between PathScale and Absoft will clearly benefit the increasing number of 64-bit Linux application developers who deploy AMD Opteron processor-based systems” stated Pat Patla, director, server/workstation marketing, Microprocessor Solutions Sector, AMD. “The combination of quality development tools and the Direct Connect Architecture of the AMD Opteron processor family can only help extend AMD’s position as the premier choice for HPC clusters. PathScale and Absoft have been instrumental in helping developers take full advantage of the AMD64 platform.”

The HPC SDK Basic PathScale Edition for Linux on AMD Opteron processor-based systems will become generally available in the second quarter of 2005. For beta and early adopter program participation, please contact sales@absoft.com or call (248) 853-0050. For more information on this new product announcement, please see: