NEWS BRIEFS

Salt Lake City, UTAH — Linux NetworX, Inc., a provider of large-scale clustered computer solutions for biotechnology, Internet, industry and research fields, announced that Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley Calif., has selected a Linux NetworX cluster computer system for its Drosophila Genome Project.

Using the Linux NetworX cluster system with 40 processors, Berkeley Lab is analyzing and sequencing the Drosophila (fruit fly) genome, the resulting genome data from these studies can be used for applications in human genome research, such as research into diseases and aging. The Drosophila’s 15,000 genes are similar to a human’s 100,000 genes and have been used extensively in the past as a model organism for research studies.

The massive amount of data computation inherent in genome research requires large supercomputers or cluster systems. Cluster technology is a method of linking multiple computers, or compute modules, together to form a powerful, unified system. Linux NetworX clusters can match the performance of supercomputers for a fraction of the cost.

“The Linux NetworX cluster is much more cost efficient than the systems we’ve used in the past,” said Erwin Frise, systems manager and biomedical scientist, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. “Comparing the price/performance of the cluster to supercomputers and other options available on the market made Linux NetworX the obvious choice for our research.”

Frise also explains that because clusters are highly scalable, Berkeley Lab will be able to add additional compute modules to the system to keep it up to date, something not feasible with a supercomputer. The ability to add additional compute modules as demands increase also provides long-term cost savings because the Linux NetworX cluster architecture takes advantage of many standard hardware components.

“Our clustered systems are a great option for research organizations such as Berkeley Lab,” said Glen Lowry, president and CEO of Linux NetworX. “Linux NetworX provides organizations with complete ready-to-go cluster solutions – allowing the customer to focus on what they do best. The biotechnology and genome research markets are recognizing the outstanding value Linux NetworX clusters offer over other alternatives. We’re pleased that our technology is an instrumental component in such important scientific endeavors.”

Berkeley Lab is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory located in Berkeley, California. It conducts unclassified scientific research and is managed by the University of California. Linux NetworX ( http://www.linuxnetworx.com ) brings its powerful cluster technology to those demanding high-availability and high-performance systems. With the use of cluster computer technology, Linux NetworX provides solutions for companies with high-computing needs including Internet servers, research, industry, government and other technological fields. Through innovative hardware, complete cluster management software, service and support, Linux NetworX provides end-to-end clustering solutions.

To date, the company has built some of the largest cluster systems in the world and has developed unique hardware and versatile software to facilitate overall system management. Linux NetworX has offices in Utah, New York, Calif. and Texas and worldwide distributors.

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