New York City based Petal Computing takes next step in Cluster/Grid Computing----Leap in technology empowers a cluster of PCs to replace mainframes-geared for finance

Leapfrogging the field in cluster/Grid computing for the financial community, Petal Computing announced today the release of ClusterSuite, software that allows a group of PCs to perform the work of an enterprise server or mainframe-a practice that dramatically reduces hardware costs by as much as 90%. ClusterSuite surpasses currently available distributed computing software, employing advanced architecture that simplifies the coordination and operation of next generation usage on a cluster.

New York City (PRWEB) September 22, 2003 --Leapfrogging the field in cluster/Grid computing for the financial community, Petal Computing announced today the release of ClusterSuite, software that allows a group of PCs to perform the work of an enterprise server or mainframe-a practice that dramatically reduces hardware costs by as much as 90%. ClusterSuite surpasses currently available distributed computing software, employing advanced architecture that simplifies the coordination and operation of next generation usage on a cluster.

ClusterSuite automates the complexity created when a cluster is used by many users running many applications. Among its significant advances is the ability to suspend along-running calculation while allowing a shorter calculation to complete; the system then resumes and completes the longer calculation from its suspension point.

Typically, clusters address computational problems such as complex pricing or risk, data analysis, and order routing. Owen Davis, CEO of Petal Computing, explains that, Existing offerings are based on an approach to technology that is decades old. ClusterSuite not only uses incredibly sophisticated algorithms to optimize and negotiate work, but also provides a complete framework to make cluster computing easy and cost effective. ClusterSuite addresses the complexity of a cluster being used by many people, running many applications across a large number of machines."

ClusterSuite consists of three main parts: coordinating and running applications (workload management); monitoring and reporting on individual computers in the cluster; and managing the cluster itself. The highly optimized workload management system is based on a matching system that pairs an application to the machines best suited to its needs. Complete usage reports and an accounting system are integrated into the system, which collects over 40 metrics per machine. In addition, common administrative tasks are incorporated within the system, reducing manual support and administrative time.

Institutions have begun to replace large multiprocessor servers with groups of smaller servers running Linux, Solaris or Windows, dramatically reducing hardware costs by as much as 90% The trend toward replacing large servers with PCs and blade servers is changing the computing landscape. According to IDC, the market for servers based on standard Intel architecture has now overtaken the high-end Unix server market. The adoption of Linux servers is also growing exponentially, with a 40% growth rate since 2002.
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