The next-generation AMD Opteron processor family features improved performance-per-watt, support for lower-power DDR2 memory, and new virtualisation capabilities that support VMware and Xen, amongst others. It is currently also the only x86 server processor with planned upgradeability to native quad-core processors within the same thermal design power envelope. This upgradeability makes longer term planning more predictable and supports UK projects based on Full Economic Costing. AMD plans to launch native quad-core AMD Opteron processors in mid-2007.

The large cluster of 512 IBM x3455 servers at the University of Bristol is interconnected with Gigabit Ethernet and InfiniBand. Dr Ian Stewart, Numerical Analyst and key to this procurement at the university, commented: "Next-generation AMD Opteron processors will provide increased memory bandwidth which will in theory increase the performance of some of the applications to be run across the cluster. It also has more energy-efficient memory capabilities so that the computing performance comes with lower energy costs, which was a major consideration for our decision to go with Clustervision."

"The rapid adoption of our recently launched next-generation AMD Opteron processors by ClusterVision — one of our key customers in the UK — is an impressive testament of how AMD64 technology based server solutions address our customers' needs", said Sean Stacey, Business Development Executive for AMD in the UK and Ireland. "AMD is striving to make high-performance, low-power server solutions available to our customers today and ensure an easy migration path to future technologies like quad-core processors without the pain of forcing customers to swap the whole infrastructure again."

The cluster for the University of Surrey consists of 92 IBM x3455 servers, which are connected by Gigabit Ethernet and Myricom's new Myri-10G interconnect. Benchmarks using Myri-10G indicated excellent performance of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) applications in particular. Professor Mark Gladwin, Director of Surrey's Advanced Vehicle Analysis Group in the School of Engineering, commented: "The new cluster will provide additional resource, alongside existing clusters, to accelerate our applied fluid dynamic numerical investigations. These large complex parallel processing computational fluid dynamic studies are based around a number of different applications including aerospace, turbomachinery, motorsport and biofluid mechanics."

About ClusterVision
ClusterVision is specialist in the design, implementation and support of small- and large-scale computer clusters. Their clustering technology provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional supercomputers by connecting multiple computers to form a unified powerful computing system. ClusterVision's team of experts has designed and built some of the largest and most complex computational, storage and database clusters in Europe. With a background in applied scientific research and practical experience with a wide range of HPC technologies, the team understands customers' requirements and provides tailor-made solutions. ClusterVision has offices in Amsterdam, Gloucester (UK), Munich, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Oslo and Madrid.

For more information
Dr ir Matthijs van Leeuwen
ClusterVision BV
Nieuw-Zeelandweg 15B
1045 AL Amsterdam
Netherlands
Tel: +31 20 407 7550
Fax: +31 84 759 8389