Avi Blizovsky
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Microsoft has begun developing a version of Windows aimed at high-performance PCs, in what appears to be a direct attack on a well-fortified Linux target. In the past, high-performance computers, such as those manufactured by Cray, were considered massive, expensive and exotic devices - but today it is common to replace them with clusters of basic computers. This trend holds an opportunity for Microsoft, the traditional leader in the field of operating systems, which did not like Linux's takeover of the computer cluster arena.
To take advantage of the opportunity, Microsoft established a team focused on high-performance computers and began developing an operating system known as Windows Server HPC Edition. Kirill Panov was appointed as the project manager and Microsoft is now hiring additional managers, programmers and testers. "In order to achieve the important victory, we must demonstrate creativity and innovation, move forward quickly, implement the software in the hardware and establish relations with the academic community" - said in the description of one of the management positions.
Bob Mollia, the senior vice president who leads Windows server development, said recently that the company is showing a special interest in building clusters of high-performance computers and in utilizing the excess processing power of the PCs. Microsoft is indeed a new player in this market, but it has considerable advantages at its disposal, such as easy and natural connection of Windows Server HPC Edition clusters to desktop computers for complex financial calculations in Excel sheets, for example - says analyst David Lipke, Chief Technology Officer at Cornell Description Center, an important partner of Microsoft in the field of high-performance computing.
Microsoft can also create special versions of its fine development tools - adds Phil Papadolos, director of the Grid and Clusters program at the San Diego Supercomputer Center. "Using Windows can greatly facilitate development, and there is a large workforce specializing in this." The next version of SQL Database Server, called Yukon and due out next year, will better support very large databases and run on cluster systems. Microsoft may also offer software that will allow desktop versions of Windows to harness the power of cluster computers and give companies a better return on investment in computing. This is an important advantage in areas such as drug development and the design of tiny chips.
Windows Server HPC Edition illustrates Microsoft's strategy to tailor special versions of Windows to well-defined market segments - such as the versions designed for tablet PCs, digital TV recorders and storage servers. The market for high-performance computers is growing rapidly: according to the research company IDC, in 2003 sales increased by 14 percent and amounted to 5.3 billion dollars. Sales of Linux servers intended for clusters totaled 384 million dollars in the fourth quarter.
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