The use of high performance computing is increasing in every sphere starting from research and design to science and technology, defence and large enterprises. As per IDC reports, the global market for high performance computing (HPC) is around $10 billion. IDC expects the market to expand by 9.1% annually in revenue to reach $15.5 billion by 2011.

Vendors in the high performance computing segment are trying to reduce the risk attached with this kind of computing by providing enhanced features like high processor speed and more efficient energy usage and cooling capabilities. In order to provide customised solutions, hardware vendors are collaborating with software majors along with open source platforms like Linux.

HP, one of the major players in the HPC arena, has collaborated with Microsoft and Linux with an intent to push its solutions into the main stream verticals and to tap the growth opportunities in the Indian market.

Open Standard based architecture

Blade server adoption will continue to accelerate over the next several years, fuelled by higher performance and greater flexibility at lower costs. These blade server capabilities form the cornerstone of an adaptive infrastructure strategy that will provide high-performance computing customers substantial performance headroom to meet future computing demands.

HP BladeSystem c-Class servers are the ideal platform for high-performance computing clusters due to their support for high-performance inter connects, increased processor and node support, simplified management, reduced interconnect and network complexity, high density and efficient power and cooling.

According to Faisal Paul, country manager, High Performance Computing and Linux Business, “High performance computing sector is a very performance intensive sector. We are seeing the trend towards open standard based architecture and it is our constant endeavour to fulfil our customers’ expectations. As a result of which we are at number one position in the top 500 list of supercomputer providers. This is possible due to our powerful HP BladeSystem c-Class servers."

With the growing concern for open standard around the world, HP has also formed the Open Source and Linux Operation (OSLO) to coordinate with HP's company-wide Linux strategy "Linux for the Real World". The company's Linux strategy focuses on open systems, open standard and low cost industry-standard platforms.

Collaborating with Microsoft

HP recently tied up with Microsoft to market its high performance computers worldwide. As part of this agreement, HP is now offering Windows Cluster Server along with its Unified Cluster portfolio which is supported on HP ProLiant servers, BladeSystem and Cluster platform.

“Microsoft is a premium partner of HP. The tie-up will help us to offer wide variety of solutions to our customers. Now they could select any solution typically suitable for their environment,” states Paul.

The Indian Roadmap

The market opportunities in India are huge as far as high computing solutions are concerned. HP is eyeing the electronic design market, oil and natural gas, pharmaceuticals, defence and content creating verticals in India.

Opines Paul, “We are now streamlining our strategies to tap the larger opportunities in the Indian market. Along with the enterprise sector, we are focusing on the SMB segment as we have separate solutions typically suitable for the SMB environment in India. With customer acquisitions like GE, Texas Instruments, Computer Research Laboratory, Pune and IGIB we at HP continue to see great momentum in the coming days. The continued strength of the HPC market is driven by a combination of new users entering the market, current industrial users making greater use of computational methods and continued geopolitical tensions. HP believes the collaboration with Linux will drive further demand for its products in India.”

HP is strongly working with its ISVs in India to extend its reach among Indian customers. The company is also in discussion with government bodies to push its Linux-based boxes.