Cray launches low-end supercomputer

HIGH-PERFORMANCE Computing (HPC) system builder Cray launched a new machine on Tuesday that can work as either a supersize workstation or a departmental supercomputer.

The Cray CX1 supercomputer features eight dual-socket processor blades, each mounting Intel Xeon 5400-series two or four core chips and up to 16GB of memory capacity. A fully configured CX1 has 16 processors with either 32 or 64 cores and up to 128GB of memory.

The box also sports an I/O blade supporting up to four terabytes of internal storage space, plus two USB ports both front and rear.

CX1 external communications connectivity options include a 16-port gigabit Ethernet switch and a 12 or 24-port 10/20Gbps Infiniband switch for lightning quick access to storage area network (SAN) data resources and very high speed external communications links.

The system has a touch-screen graphical LCD screen configuration and reporting interface, along with Web-based console redirection supporting remote system control, management and performance monitoring.

The bog Gigaom reports that an Nvidia Tesla graphics chip is also offered as an option in the CX1, but Cray's announcement doesn't mention that, possibly because Cray prefers to position the machine as a low-end supercomputer rather than as a high-end workstation.

The launch of Cray's new mini-supercomputer is being promoted by Microsoft because the system can run Windows HPC Server 2008. Most scientific HPC users will probably choose the alternative Red Hat Linux operating system, though, since the Vole's penetration of the HPC market is miniscule, accounting for just one per cent of the Top 500 supercomputers.

Cray's new little supercomputer comes either as a 7U rackmount enclosure or as a deskside pedestal server that's only about two-thirds larger than a standard desktop PC system box.

The line is the smallest supercomputer Cray's ever produced, as the company looks to the healthy under-$100,000 HPC market segment to sustain it through a time of slower IT sales.

Cray's CX1 prices start at $25,000 and range up to more than $60,000, fully configured. µ

L'Inq
Gigaom