Microsoft Windows HPC Server 2008
The complete, integrated platform for cluster-based, high performance computing. Windows HPC Server 2008 includes both a streamlined version of Windows Server (HPC Edition) and the Microsoft HPC Pack 2008, which includes a complete, integrated set of middleware and tools for running high performance computing clusters. Combine the power of supercomputing with the ease of use of Windows.
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Product Description
Features & Capabilities
Rapid Deployment
The Windows HPC management console has a to-do list and wizards to simplify setting up the cluster and network. Templates and wizards enable building consistent compute node images that can be created or modified and deployed across the cluster.
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Simple to configure and manage cluster in a familiar working environment
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Support for multiple network topologies including enterprise, private and application networks
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Easily generate compute node images by injecting drivers, applications or patches to install
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Deploy compute nodes using Windows Deployment Service
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Import and manage pre-deployed compute nodes
Enhanced Monitoring and System Health Reporting
Windows HPC Server 2008 offers a comprehensive set of management, administration, and diagnostic tools scale to support larger clusters. Quickly identify and diagnose hardware, software, or network issues across the cluster.
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Heat map for at-a-glance view of performance metrics for your entire cluster
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Cluster usage reporting
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Agent-less monitoring of compute node health
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Integration with Active Directory
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Extended capabilities through integration with System Center Operations Manager
Enhanced Scheduling Options
A multi-core aware, flexible job scheduler allows for scheduling by core, socket or server and addresses both batch and newer service-oriented jobs. The job scheduler can be deployed in concert with third party partner schedulers for additional advanced policies or mixed environments.
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Support for larger clusters
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Broad application support
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Expanded scheduling policies and support for job templates
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Ability to create new designs including heterogeneous clusters
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Interoperability with existing job schedulers
System Requirements
Hardware Requirements
CPU
x64 architecture computer with Intel Pentium or Xeon family processors with Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology (EM64T) processor architecture; AMD Opteron family processors; AMD Phenom family processors; AMD Athlon 64 family processors; compatible processor(s)
RAM
512 MB
Multiprocessor Support
Windows Server 2008 HPC Edition and Windows Server 2008 Standard support up to four processors per server. Windows Server 2008 Enterprise supports up to eight processors per server.
Minimum disk space for set up
50 GB
Disk volumes
A single system volume is required for the head and compute nodes. Redundant array of independent disks (RAID) is supported but not required. The system volume must be Master Boot Record (MBR). Additional volumes can be MBR or GUID Partition Table (GPT).
Network interface card
At least one network interface card (NIC) is required. If a private network is used, the head node requires at least two NICs, and compute nodes at least one. Each node may also require a high-speed NIC for an application network.
Software Requirements
The head and compute nodes for Windows HPC Server 2008 can be any of the following:
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x64-based version of Windows Server 2008 Standard operating system
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Windows Server 2008 Enterprise x64 Edition
The cluster head node uses SQL Server as its data repository. An existing SQL Server 2005 or SQL Server 2008 installation can be used, or the HPC Pack 2008 installer will install SQL Express. SQL Server Standard Edition or Enterprise Edition is required for head node failover clustering.
The administration console and the user console for job submission are automatically installed on the head node of the compute cluster. These components can also be installed on other computers allowing either remote management of the cluster or job submission from client computers. The supported operating systems for installation of the remote components are:
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Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2) or Release 2 (R2) (32-bit or x64 versions)
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Windows Server 2008 (32-bit or x64 versions)
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Windows® XP Professional SP3
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Windows XP Professional, x64 Edition SP2
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Windows Vista® Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate Editions SP1
Supported Languages
Windows HPC Server 2008 is available in English, Simplified Chinese, and Japanese. The Microsoft HPC Pack will also install on any of the Windows Server 2008 x64-based operating systems (Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter). When installed on an edition of Windows that does not match the HPC Pack languages, the HPC Pack user interfaces will be displayed in English.
