[ale] (fwd) $3 Million Linux Cluster (fwd)

[Chris Ricker]

I thought this would be of general interest to most of you, even if you're
not on the job market right now....

later,
chris

--
Chris Ricker                                               kaboom at gatech.edu
                                                  chris.ricker at m.cc.utah.edu

---------- Forwarded message ----------
 From: Jason Lowry <jason at altatech.com>
Subject: $3 Million Linux Cluster
Date: Wed, 12 May 1999 15:50:23 -0600

Hello All,

Below is a News Release that we are sending out locally. My company in
Sandy got a big contract with the Japanese Government to build the
largest Japanese Supercomputer. Guess which OS they choose... That's
right, Linux.

If you are interested, please read on. Also, we are still trying to
hire, so if you would be interested in some cool Linux cluster
development, please contact me.

-- 
Jason Lowry
Alta Technology
801-304-0221
http://www.altatech.com

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Fingers were made before forks. Jonathan Swift
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Alta Technology Receives $3 Million Contract Award from Japanese
Government 

Alta to deliver CompactPCI processor and networking technology in
support of the assembly and integration of a high performance
distributed Linux cluster system


Sandy, Utah - May 12, 1999 - Alta Technology today announced the award
of a $3 million contract from the Japanese government to deliver
computer system components in support of a scalable clustered computer
system to be built in Japan. The contract was issued by the
Electro-Technical Laboratory (ETL), which is part of Japan's Ministry of
International Trade and Industry (MITI).  This contract designates Alta
as the supplier of all processor and networking technology for the
system, which will be assembled and integrated in Japan.  Using Alta
hardware along with the Linux operating system, the 256-processor ETL
system will rank among the highest performing systems in the world. 

CompactPCI is a standard hardware form factor that allows PCI silicon to
be implemented in a higher density, modular, rack mountable board
design. The CompactPCI form factor is ideal for clustered computer
systems.  Being very flexible, it allows a great deal of scalability,
optimal use of floor space, and a high level of individual component
access for ease of maintenance. 

According to Glen Lowry, Alta Technology President and CEO, "It is very
exciting to be working with ETL on such a high level project.  Alta's
experience with CompactPCI and clustered technologies was a key factor
in ETL's decision to choose Alta as their partner.  The successful
completion of this contract will further establish Alta as a premier
supplier to the distributed systems world."  

The ETL system is based on Alta's SBC/A264, a 6U single board computer
implementing a 500 MHz 21264 Alpha processor, 4 Megabytes of L2 Cache,
and up to 4 Gigabytes of ECC protected DIMM memory.  Processor
interconnectivity is facilitated with Alta's line of Gigabit Ethernet
boards and hubs.  High performance Gigabit Ethernet switches will be
supplied by Packet Engines, Inc. of Spokane Washington.  Gigabit
Ethernet provides ten times the performance of Fast Ethernet.  In
addition to processors and interconnectivity, peripheral products such
as graphics, storage, and other system functionality are available
through CompactPCI and PCI Mezzanine Card (PMC) form factors. 

The ETL system represents a new generation of general purpose
"supercomputers" that are easier to maintain, more flexible in
configuration, and have a lower ownership cost. Lowry explains,
"Conventional supercomputers are typically regarded as being overpriced,
under powered, and requiring extreme amounts of floor space.  By
combining CompactPCI technology with the Alpha processor, Alta is
capable of delivering scalable systems that address these issues." 

The use of CompactPCI technology allows for complete system
scalability.  Alta systems may be configured using only 1 or up to 1000s
of processors working together in a single distributed processing
system.  This makes it easy to increase the system size as an
organization grows or requirements change. Configuration and maintenance
are also simplified by having easy access to all board-level components.

Alta systems are available fully assembled and integrated or may be
purchased as components for integration by VAR, OEM, and end user
organizations.   

Founded in 1989 to develop specialized and custom board-level products,
Alta Technology Corporation has evolved into a leading supplier of off
the shelf parallel and embedded real-time computation products and
services.  Customer applications range from high speed
telecommunications and networking to data acquisition, signal/image
processing and machine control. Alta specializes in high performance
computing with a broad product portfolio that includes Single Board
Computers, 3D Graphics cards, Gigabit Ethernet adapters, and Scalable
Systems.
-- end of forwarded message --