Now, That’s What I Call a SUPER Computer!

Super TuxImagine a single Linux instance with 4 terabytes of memory (not diskspace… RAM!) Now imagine is has 2048 dual core processors (CPUs!) DEWD! 13.1 teraflops of computing power, connected to 240 terabytes of disk storage! Can I have one?

NASA Selects SGI to Provide Largest Shared-Memory System in the World

“SGI and NASA today announced that the agency has selected a record-setting SGI(R) Altix(R) supercomputer in its evaluation of next-generation technology to meet future high-performance computing (HPC) requirements. The system was acquired as part of NAS Technology Refresh (NTR), a four-phase procurement process that eventually will replace the Columbia supercomputer system, powered by SGI Altix. NASA’s new SGI Altix system is expected to be installed in August at the NASA Advanced Supercomputing (NAS) facility at the Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, Calif. The new system will be the first supercomputer to operate 2,048 processor cores and 4TB of memory under a single copy of Linux(R) — creating the largest Linux single system image (SSI) in the world. A larger SSI can accelerate scientific research by making all of the system’s processors and memory available to solve a single problem, or several problems at once. Driven by 1,024 Dual-Core Intel(R) Itanium(R) 2 processors, the new system will generate 13.1 TFLOPs of compute power. The system’s dual-core processors allow more computing power per square foot, enabling NASA to pack more computing power into its supercomputing center. NASA also acquired an ultra-dense 240TB SGI(R) InfiniteStorage 10000 system to efficiently handle the massive data storage requirements.”

Digg and Microsoft?!

Digg started out as a neat idea… have people “vote up” (or, “Digg”) good stories and “digg down” bad stories so that you get interesting information that “floats up to the surface.” Pretty neat. But in recent days, more and more, it is being “hijacked” by groups (it seems to me) that have an agenda. For instance, it appears that Ron Paul groupies are “voting up” stories favorable to their guy. Also, the anti-conservative folks seem to “vote up” stories that appeal to the far left. But, whatever, if they can “organize” and vote the stories up, then one might say that that is how the site is “supposed” to work. Personally, I liked it better when the content was driven only by tech stories that folks thought were interesting… but that’s just me!

Now, a new chapter has begun. Digg, Inc. and Microsoft, Inc. have climbed into bed, and Microsoft will be providing the advertising content on Digg. Ouch. Come on, Kevin!

Microsoft Press Release on Digg

“Digg Inc. and Microsoft Corp. today announced an agreement in which the two companies will collaborate to bring relevant advertising to the more than 17 million unique monthly visitors to Digg, an innovative Web site that harnesses the collective wisdom of the world’s online audience to prioritize the overwhelming amount of content available on the Web. Microsoft’s advanced advertising technology and sales force combined with Digg’s unique and growing user community make possible the three-year collaboration, grounded in the companies’ commitment to technological innovation and user experience. As part of the relationship, Microsoft will be the exclusive provider of display and contextual advertising on Digg. The two companies also agreed to work together on future technology and advertising initiatives.”