Systems/Enterprise:
TOPSPIN ROLLS OUT 'GRID-TO-GO' PROGRAM
Topspin Communications debuted Grid-to-Go, a program to deliver an open
standards-based starter-kit for rapid, easy deployment of utility computing in
the enterprise. Grid-to-Go can be used with commodity servers, and includes
all of the infrastructure and software required for a Grid architecture that
unifies applications, servers and storage. Compared with existing proprietary
utility computing solutions, the Topspin solution offers comparable
functionality with better performance and greater scalability -- all at as
little as approximately one-twentieth the cost.
Topspin server switch technology creates a scalable, flexible fabric for
building a Grid out of industry standard server, storage and I/O resources.
Whether attached via Ethernet, Fibre Channel, or InfiniBand, the server switch
can seamlessly map these resources together into virtual servers, which can
then be automatically provisioned with the right application(s). With
Topspin's VFrame software, the server switch can be programmed with business
policies to determine the conditions for creating different types of virtual
servers and with which applications to load them.
This utility computing capability enables an unprecedented level of
application scaling, rapid deployment and resource consolidation.
Additionally, by consolidating LAN and SAN adapters, cables and ports through
a single server switch fabric, customers can achieve an immediate ROI. Topspin
customer case studies show that for a 150-node cluster, this Multi-Fabric I/O
alone delivers enough cost savings to pay for the Topspin technology outright.
"Grid or utility computing is gaining traction in the mainstream enterprise,"
said Stu Aaron, vice president of marketing at Topspin. "With Grid-to-Go, we
make it easy for customers to get started in an open and extremely flexible
fashion. Once they've selected their servers and storage, they can start with
as little as four or eight nodes and scale to several thousand."
The Grid-to-Go program offers customers two options to choose from: a Full
Rack or a Half Rack:
The Full Rack option offers everything needed to provide the utility computing
infrastructure to support up to 24 servers, and includes the following:
- One Topspin 360 Server Switch, a flexible high availability I/O chassis
capable of supporting up to 24 InfiniBand-attached servers and up to 12
expansion slots for Ethernet and Fibre Channel Gateways, providing the
"backbone" for the solution.
- One Topspin EX Ethernet Gateway providing six Gigabit Ethernet Ports for
connecting the "Grid-to-Go" infrastructure to Ethernet LANs and/or Network
Attached Storage (NAS).
- One Topspin FC Fibre Channel Gateway providing two 1 Gb per second or 2 Gb
per second Fibre Channel Ports for connecting the "Grid-to-Go" infrastructure
to Fibre Channel Storage.
- Twenty-four 10 Gb per second InfiniBand Host Channel Adapters (HCAs) for
PCI-X with remote boot capabilities.
- Twenty-four 3M InfiniBand cables.
- Topspin VFrame Director with 0-25 Node License.
- Optional installation services are available at an additional cost.
The Half Rack option offers a lower entry point, providing the following
utility computing infrastructure to support up to 12 servers:
- One Topspin 360 Server Switch with 12 InfiniBand ports.
- One Topspin EX Ethernet Gateway providing six Gigabit Ethernet Ports for
connecting the "Grid-to-Go" infrastructure to Ethernet LANs and/or Network
Attached Storage (NAS).
- One Topspin FC Fibre Channel Gateway providing two 1 Gb per second or 2 Gb
per second Fibre Channel Ports for connecting the "Grid-to-Go" infrastructure
to Fibre Channel Storage.
- Twelve 10 Gb per second InfiniBand Host Channel Adapters (HCAs) for PCI-X
with remote boot capabilities.
- Twelve 3M InfiniBand cables.
- Topspin VFrame Director with 0-12 Node License.
- Optional Installation services are available at an additional cost.
With both options customers need only provide their appropriate servers and
storage of choice.
"Topspin's Grid-to-Go is a good option for enterprises wishing to realize the
benefits of utility computing, while using trusted industry standard servers
and storage," said Brian Garrett, technical director of Enterprise Strategy
Group. "This also allows them to use their legacy data center resources,
instead of incurring the costs of 'forklifting' in new boxes. With this sort
of easier-to-deploy, affordable solution we will begin to see the fulfillment
in the enterprise of the visions for Grid or utility computing from the major
system vendors."
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