Scalable Servers Corporation exited stealth mode and announced the release of its versatile flexBLADE technical workgroup computing platform based on AMD Opteron processors. The flexBLADE can be utilized as an individual desk-side cluster or departmental resource or easily rack mounted and scaled out as an HPC solution. Capable of a wide range of configurations, the versatile flexBLADE is comprised of a single chassis form factor with up to 5 dual socket blades, configurable as a cluster, SMP, hybrid-combination or small server farm.

    "The flexBLADE meets the computational, networking and storage requirements of many individuals and workgroups in one platform that is compact, quiet, cool and energy efficient", said Leo Yuan, President & General Manager of Scalable Servers Corporation.

    Supporting the full range Next Generation AMD Opteron processors, the platform can scale from a cool and quiet, low power 1500 watt departmental solution, up to a robustly configured 3000 watt compute powerhouse. The flexBLADE also supports scaling out beyond standard dual socket to quad socket SMP, FAT NODE, configurations with ample memory support, 16 DIMM slots per node, or 80 total DIMM Slots per chassis, storage ,up to 10-2.5" and 14-3.5" disks, and a PCIe x16 slot per blade which allows multiple graphics heads per platform.

    Built-in networking includes 10 or 20 Gigabit InfiniBand, 10 Gigabit and 1 Gigabit Ethernet with full system management that allows the flexBLADE platform a wide range of configurations to match performance and cost requirements. Microsoft Corporation develops, manufactures, licenses and supports a range of software products for computing devices. The Company software products include operating systems for servers, personal computers and intelligent devices, server applications for distributed computing environments, information worker productivity applications, business solution applications, high-performance computing applications and software development tools.

    "The flexBLADE platform from Scalable Servers Corporation is a fine example of what can be accomplished with the versatility of the AMD Opteron processor. AMD64 technology with Direct Connect Architecture helps deliver socket and system scalability along with the investment protection of simple upgrade paths to next-generation processors. This helps our customers deliver exceptionally flexible platforms that can be the basis for a long-term, unified High Performance Computing strategy," said David Rich, director of High Performance Computing at AMD.

    Shawn Hansen, Director of HPC marketing, Windows Server Division at Microsoft Corp noted: "The HPC market continues to expand as new customers are enabled with technologies like desk-side and workgroup clusters. The introduction of flexBLADE and Windows Compute Cluster Server creates a turnkey solution in a convenient form factor that enables scientists and researchers to focus on driving productivity."

    "The innovative flexBLADE platform utilizes Mellanox interconnect solutions to provide a leading edge clustered, multi-core environment for personal and workgroup use," said Gilad Shainer, senior technical marketing manager at Mellanox Technologies. "InfiniBand connectivity is a key ingredient for parallel application performance, overall system productivity and provides a unified fabric for external, high-speed, storage solutions."