HP today announced enhancements to its Unified Cluster Portfolio to help simplify and accelerate the configuration, deployment and management of clusters for high-performance computing (HPC).

HP Cluster Platform Express, a pre-configured cluster system that offers shortened delivery times and reduced integration costs, now features HP BladeSystem c-Class servers. The servers are the ideal platform for HPC clusters because of their support for high-performance interconnects, increased processor and node support, simplified management, reduced interconnect and network complexity, high density and efficient power and cooling.

The cluster is available with up to 48 compute nodes, Intel® Xeon™ or AMD Opteron™ processors and a choice of InfiniBand or Gigabit Ethernet cluster interconnects. It also has options for a factory-installed operating system and cluster management software.

In addition, HP Cluster Platform Express provides a faster and easier way to order and configure single-rack HPC cluster systems compared to traditional methods. Customers can select from a menu of popular cluster components tuned for increasingly complex HPC workloads. The components are then factory assembled to speed up delivery.

“Over the past four years, HP has built a cluster ecosystem that brings many of the pieces for a full clustering environment together and is driving HPC cluster computing further into the mainstream, as shown by their growing market share and market leadership in 2006,” said Earl Joseph, program vice president, High Performance Computing, IDC. “Their new additions to the Unified Cluster Portfolio should be useful to HPC buyers that are looking for complete and easy-to-install solutions.”

New tools expand program

To further expand its Unified Cluster Portfolio program, HP has created an extensive set of tools to simplify and automate the configuration, integration and verification of clusters. The tools will be offered to customers, certified channel partners and independent software vendors so they can benefit from HP’s investments and experience to quickly deliver and support high-quality cluster systems.

“For years, Matrix Integration has been using HP Cluster Platform Express for configuring and ordering cluster systems,” said Chad Williams, public sector manager, Matrix Integration. “HP enables us to deliver the most accurate, current and best possible solutions in a timely manner. The addition of HP BladeSystem c-Class servers to the program is ideal for our HPC customers.”

In support of the expanded HP Cluster Platform Express program, Platform Computing is extending its offer for a free 90-day trial of LSF CAE Edition to customers purchasing a cluster through the program.

Launched in 2004, the HP Unified Cluster Portfolio includes a broad set of industry-standard hardware and software that helps HP and its partners address virtually any HPC problem, large or small. These building blocks are part of the HP Cluster Platform architecture that includes simplified packaging and wiring, compatibility matrices and automated verification and configuration tools.

The architecture includes HP ProLiant and Integrity servers based on AMD Opteron and Intel Xeon and Itanium® 2 processors. It offers a wide variety of cluster interconnects, including Ethernet and InfiniBand, and support for Microsoft Windows®, Linux and UNIX® operating systems. It also offers a broad selection of cluster management and grid software products.

More information on HP Cluster Platform Express and the HP Unified Cluster Portfolio is available at http://www.hp.com/go/cp-express and http://www.hp.com/go/clusters