Sun's open, petascale computing environment integrates high density compute, networking, storage and software to deliver massive scalability and performance; next-generation Sun Constellation System doubles nodes, cores and bandwidth

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 18 -- SC08 -- Sun Microsystems, Inc. today announced that Sandia National Laboratories, the Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen University will power their next-generation compute clusters with the Sun Constellation System and Lustre parallel file system, in addition to other Sun systems, storage and software. The extreme scalability and performance of the Sun Constellation System and Lustre will enable Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen University to hit a peak performance of more than 200 teraflops each in the first phase of deployment.

"The Sun Constellation System is a petascale powerhouse and a prime example of the compute, Open Storage and networking innovations Sun is delivering to help customers tackle the most demanding HPC workloads," said John Fowler, executive vice president of the Systems Platforms Group at Sun Microsystems. "First deployed in TACC's Ranger supercomputer, today's announcement proves the Sun Constellation System is the solution of choice for leading-edge HPC customers in health, science, national security and engineering."

Sandia National Laboratories

Sandia National Laboratories has chosen Sun Microsystems' Sun Blade 6048 Modular System, which will include a next-generation Intel Xeon processor (codenamed Nehalem) CPU blade, for their next-generation compute cluster. For data storage, the cluster will use Open Storage products from Sun Microsystems including the Lustre parallel file system and Sun Storage J4400 arrays. This system will provide a foundation for the future scientific and engineering capacity needs of the laboratory as they further their mission in support of our national security.

Forschungszentrum Jülich

Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany's largest HPC center, will deploy a 207-teraflop supercomputer early in 2009 based on Sun Blade servers and Bull NovaScale servers powered by the next-generation Intel Xeon processor, along with a high-performance input-output (I/O) system based on Solaris ZFS and the Lustre file system, guaranteeing end-to-end data integrity. In addition to next-generation blade servers and the Lustre file system, the HPC solution will include next-generation Sun Fire servers and Sun Storage J4400 Arrays. Sun will also install the complete network based on the newest Sun IB Quad Data Rate (QDR) Switches.

The new system will be used for advanced research projects, such as energy management, nanoscience and atmospheric research.

The new Forschungszentrum Jülich supercomputer is part of the "Jülich Research on Petaflops Architectures" or JUROPA project, which was set up by the Forschungszentrum Jülich to investigate emerging cluster technologies and create a new class of cost-efficient supercomputers for petascale computing. Intel, Partec and Sun are contributors to the project, with Bull taking on overall responsibility as prime contractor for the design, delivery and maintenance of the supercomputer. Sun Professional Services will help with installation beginning in 2009, after the next-generation offerings are available.

Forschungszentrum Jülich pursues government-funded research in the fields of health, energy and the environment, and also information technology. With a staff of about 4400, Jülich is one of the largest research centers in Europe.

RWTH Aachen University

After a comprehensive evaluation and tender process, RWTH Aachen University has again chosen an HPC system from Sun Microsystems. Sun plans to install the 200-teraflop cluster in the Aachen University in two installation phases scheduled for completion at the end of 2010. Based on the next-generation Intel Xeon processor and the Sun Constellation System, the new supercomputer will feature state-of-the-art blade technology and SMP-systems, plus Sun-developed QDR Infiniband switches. Unlike products by other manufacturers, the new Sun QDR switches feature superior density, availability of ports and cabling. Data flow between the storage nodes and the supercomputer will be managed by the Lustre parallel file system.

Sun at Supercomputing 2008

Sun is previewing a range of HPC technologies at the Supercomputing 2008 show (Sun booth #1021), such as the next-generation Sun Constellation System -- with double the storage capacity, double the cores and double the compute nodes of the existing Sun Constellation System, the "Genesis" storage array, new "Magnum" switch solutions, the "Glacier" cooling door and storage flash arrays. For more information on the innovative HPC technologies Sun is showcasing at Supercomputing 2008, visit http://www.sun.com/hpc or visit the Sun booth #1021 for live demonstrations. Sun's Supercomputing 2008 online press kit can be found at http://www.sun.com/aboutsun/media/presskits/2008-1114/.

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Sun Microsystems (NASDAQ:JAVA) develops the technologies that power the global marketplace. Guided by a singular vision -- "The Network Is The Computer" -- Sun drives network participation through shared innovation, community development and open source leadership. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the Web at http://sun.com.

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Source: Sun Microsystems, Inc.