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MICROSOFT CHASES LINUX WITH HPC VERSION OF WINDOWS

The ongoing competition between Microsoft and Linux may be escalating; Microsoft is developing a high-performance computing version of their popular Windows operating system. As of now, most high-performance system users are more comfortable with Linux's Unix OS. The open source model provides answers to problems via accessible source code, but the idea of a Windows based model for desktop computers could prove to be very attractive to others.

Linux has prospered in the high-performance computing industry as of late, capitalizing on the new trend of supercomputers that run on low-end clusters. But Microsoft, with their Windows HPC Edition software, is seeking to connect desktop computers for immediate power to calculate complex applications.

Other options for Microsoft's product include specialized versions of its programming tools and an upgrade for its SQL server to run on clustered computers. In addition, Microsoft would have the ability to utilize Windows software to garner the most possible power from the operating PCs.

Microsoft attempted to battle Linux by releasing a less expensive Web server edition with Windows Server 2003 last year. The HPC edition is a new attempt to focus on specific market segments and increased revenue.

At this moment, Linux is dominating the high-performance market, with versions of their OS in supercomputers and clusters everywhere. Many of the machines in the Top 500 list of fastest supercomputers run Linux, and that is in addition to powering the fastest computer in the country, LLNL's Thunder.

Linux's secret lies in its ability to be administered remotely, a necessity for cluster management involving many computers.

Microsoft is changing management to increase its competitive chances against Linux, however. The company is hiring one programmer to work on a "graphical and script-based user interface for efficient job and resource management across large clusters" and another to create "automated infrastructure to uncover performance and reliability problems with high performance, large- scale server applications."

Microsoft has yet to specify a release date, but work is being done now and this fall could yield significant developments. The HPC Edition, for instance, will include MPI support, allowing for better communication between clustered computers.

The HPC version of Windows could be included among any of Microsoft's upcoming releases: Service Pack 1 of Windows Server 2003 later this year and the R2 upgrade for 2005. Longhorn is expected to make its server form debut in 2007.