Penguin Announces Linux Cluster-In-A-Box

Penguin Computing has unveiled new Linux-based blade servers that can be configured as a "cluster in a box," offering a dense package when combined with Scyld Beowulf Linux clustering software.

Called BladeRunner, the offering can support 12-dual processor blades in a 4U chassis. The offering can be packaged in a 42U rack with 240 processors, Penguin Computing said in announcing the solution Wednesday. The firm noted that the design around low-voltage Intel Xeon processors will lead to cost reductions in cooling server farms.

"The cluster-in-a-box package complements our extensive cluster product line by making clustering a viable option for departmental HPC clustering applications and specialized research organizations that have to do more with smaller teams and limited support staff," said the firm's chairman and CEO Enrico Pesatori in a statement.

In observing that clustered systems are often challenging to configure, Penguin said the cluster-in-a-box approach simplifies the configuration process and also makes installations easy to manage. In addition, the packaged approach reduces space and cabling requirements.