Microsoft unveils version of Windows that runs computer clusters
By Staff -- Manufacturing Business Technology, 2/1/2006 12:00:00 AM
As the race to put more processing power on smaller devices continues, Microsoft wants to ensure its Windows operating system has a role in future generations of high-powered desktop machines.
Microsoft entered what is known as the high-performance computing (HPC) arena in 2005, starting with the release of a 64-bit version of Windows. In November 2005, it unveiled Windows Compute Cluster Server (CSS), a platform that allows multiple machines to operate like a single large computer.
Bill Gerould, an industry director in Microsoft's Enterprise Partner Group, says these developments could be a boon for users of complex applications such as high-end CAD programs. Often, Gerould notes, these users are forced to work on two computers—a UNIX-based workstation for doing engineering tasks, and a Windows-based PC to handle general office chores.
"The introduction of Windows 64-bit [and Windows CSS] allows those users to in effect eliminate a complete box from the desk,'' Gerould contends.
Microsoft actually is playing catch-up in the HPC competition. Historically, this has been the province of large machines—sometimes called supercomputers—running various versions of UNIX. Recently, however, Intel and AMD have produced chips that can turn smaller, lower-cost machines into high-performance computers.
Industry analysts see HPC as a growth area, particularly when it comes to lower-cost systems. After a downturn in 2001 and 2002, the market grew slightly in 2003 to reach $5.6 billion, followed by 30-percent growth in 2004 to reach $7.25 billion, according to Framingham, Mass.-based IDC. Systems priced below $50,000—the technical workgroup market—grew at a 64-percent clip in 2004, IDC says.
Most of the low-cost, high-performance machines currently run on Linux, but Microsoft hopes its two new Windows platforms will change that. Within manufacturing, says Gerould, a "sweet spot" for Windows CSS will be running engineering programs that conduct simulations for structural analysis and testing fluid dynamics. He adds that companies seeking to mine large databases should look at this product.
"There are still going to be those instances when an organization needs to use supercomputer-type boxes, but that's not where we're looking," says Gerould. "We're taking a higher-volume approach that meets a broader set of high-performance computing needs in a very cost-effective way."
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