HPC Clusters and the OS of Choice

During the last decade, high performance computing (HPC) has undergone radically new transformations in underlying technologies. Recently, the focus has shifted from increasing processor speed to increasing the number of processor cores. Today, it is common to have clustered systems with a substantial numbers of processors. The benefits of reducing cost and increasing ease of scalability are just two of the key features that make HPC systems a desirable choice.

Clustered HPC Systems No Longer Just for Research Facilities

Clustered systems and high performance computing are not technologies meant only for the high-speed, number-crunching domain of research facilities anymore. With the advent of big data, the business world also has a real need for enormous amounts of processing power as well. Clustered HPC systems can provide the cost-effective power needed to sift through massive amounts of structured and unstructured data to identify trends and patterns. This information can then be turned into a strategic business advantage, hence the popularity of these systems.

Linux Is OS of Choice for Many HPC Clusters

Linux is the OS of choice most organizations use when setting up HPC clusters. A number of reasons make Linux more cost-effective and efficient than competing operating systems. This includes scalability, maturity, stability, and interoperability between diverse architectures and networks. Linux and other breakthroughs in technology have made high performance computing available to the small business, leveling the field and allowing competition between these organizations and their much larger counterparts.

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