NASA: Linux on 2048 CPUs and 4Tbytes RAM
The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is investing in a Linux super computer by SGI. The computer's 2048 CPU cores and 4TBytes RAM will run under a single Linux instance.
According to the vendor this will be the biggest Linux single system image (SSI) world wide with 1024 Intel Itanium 2 Dual Core CPUs. The Altix super computer will be replacing the previous Columbia super computer system, also by SGI, and will mean a considerable performance boost on the same floor space with speeds of up to 13.1 Tflops.
The high-performance computer will be linked to an Infinite storage system with 240Tbytes of storage capacity, also built by SGI. The machines are scheduled for installation in NASA's Advanced Supercomputing Center (NAS) at the Ames Research Center, Moffet Field CA. According to NASA sources, super computing plays an important role in many projects, such as climate studies and astrophysical research
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