(1888PressRelease)
March 07, 2008 - SuperCluster is designed for companies that need a system that’s secure, with hardware and software that’s extremely simple to maintain. The principle that inspired the development of SuperCluster, is to provide fully transparent technology for users, who don’t necessarily need to know how to use a cluster solution. The management of high reliability is integrated into the machine, which, in turn, has been designed with the aim of eliminating every possible single point of failure through the use of simple, tested technologies.
SuperCluster is characterized by integration at the design level of functions that ensure high reliability and the option of using both the operating system and software as a single server, making it easier to install and manage. These are key features for the target market of small and medium-sized businesses.
“We decided to collaborate on this project with SuperMicro, a top level partner in the production of high technology content solutions,” said Umberto Dalporto, managing director of SuperCluster. “SuperCluster is a highly reliable, extremely innovative server that has been conceived specifically to meet the needs of small and medium-sized businesses that require increasingly competitive and reliable solutions.”
Technical features
SuperCluster AMD Quad Core uses the very latest Barcelona 2350 (2 way) and 8350 (4 way) processors. The motherboard is made by SuperMicro specifically for the Barcelona processor. Memory is up to 128GB per server.
SuperCluster uses an InfiniBand communications link between the servers and storage module, which can be either SAS or SATA. Plus, communication between the servers and the storage module is extremely fast and secure, and fully controllable remotely via an IPMI card fitted as standard.
By installing open source software or Microsoft Server Storage, SuperCluster can also be used as a high-reliability iSCSI NAS or SAN (Network Attach Storage and Storage Area Network), making this equipment available at a more affordable price.
The architecture is based on two server modules and a single serial ATA and SAS storage unit, integrated at the firmware level, by a proprietary management card, with the job of monitoring the operation of all the hardware components and activate, in real time, the second server card, if the first malfunctions. All components are redundant to guaranty high reliability.
SuperCluster supports Microsoft Windows 2003 Enterprise, Microsoft Windows 2003 Standard, Windows 2003 SBS, Microsoft Windows 2000 Pro, Linux Red Hat AS – ES 32/64bit, Linux SuSe 32/64 bit, Linux Debian and Ubuntu server operating systems. Regardless of the system adopted, only one license is required, since the OS is only used by a single processing engine at a time, with the change from one to the other, handled by an InfiniBand communications link. Using this solution, any application for single server or workstation platforms can be installed on SuperCluster without any modifications.
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