Microsoft to put Ferrari on high-performance gear
By Wilson Joseph
Italian sports car manufacturer Ferrari has decided to use Microsoft's newest high-performance computing technology, Windows HPC Server 2008, to push the boundaries of automotive engineering, design and development.
Windows HPC (performance computing technology) Server 2008, the successor to Windows Compute Cluster Server 2003, is based on the Windows Server 2008 operating system. It has been designed with an intention to increase productivity, scalability and manageability.
Key features of Windows HPC Server 2008 include: high-speed networking, scalable cluster management tools, advanced failover capabilities, a service oriented architecture (SOA) job scheduler, and support for partners’ clustered file systems.
Windows HPC Server 2008 enables users to deploy, utilize and integrate advanced HPC clusters within their environment. According to Microsoft, it decreases deployment times, improving the ability for firms to bring new products to market.
Piergiorgio Grossi, head of information systems at Ferrari, said: "Ferrari is always looking for the most advanced technological solutions, and of course, the same applies for software and engineering. Windows HPC Server 2008 is very promising, and the collaboration with Ferrari will give directions to develop a fast, familiar, high-performance computing platform for our users, engineers and administrators."
Microsoft says that its cluster administrators can save time with Microsoft System Center for application-level monitoring and rapid provisioning and SQL Server Reporting Services for capacity planning and auditing.