PLATFORM COMPUTING/INTEL COLLABORATE ON CLUSTER READY.

Platform Computing has announced its collaboration with Intel Corporation on Intel(R) Cluster Ready, a new program and technology designed to simplify the development, purchase, deployment, usage, and management of clustered computer systems. Platform Open Cluster Stack (OCS) is the first commercial software system used to create certified Intel(R) Cluster Ready systems that enable the consistent delivery of scale-out application clusters.

Platform OCS democratizes and streamlines the process of implementing High Performance Computing (HPC) solutions on Linux-based clusters. A pre- integrated, vendor certified software stack, Platform OCS enables a new class of HPC users by simplifying Linux(R) cluster application, deployment and management. Backed by available, global 24x7 enterprise support, Platform OCS is a modular and hybrid stack that transparently integrates open source and commercial software into a single, consistent cluster operating environment.

"Intel and Platform Computing have optimized the performance of hundreds of thousands of enterprise High Performance Computing nodes," said Richard Dracott, General Manager, Intel High Performance Systems. "Intel Cluster Ready is the result of our shared vision of the need for simplicity to enable more organizations to adopt the technology. By simplifying the installation, deployment and supportability of clusters, we can broaden the scope of users who can take advantage of the inherent, proven benefits of HPC technologies."

A result of collaboration between Intel, independent software vendors (ISVs), and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as Dell Inc., Intel(R) Cluster Ready includes a set of minimum standards for software and hardware components of a clustered system to allow for an unprecedented level of interoperability. Intel(R) Cluster Ready is designed to make it easier to run off-the-shelf HPC software applications. It also includes a software registration process for compatible HPC applications and a complimentary hardware cluster certification tool, Intel(R) Cluster Checker. This certification tool checks the cluster hardware and software components to ensure they interoperate properly and facilitates fault isolation, helping to improve early detection of cluster problems and reduce support costs.

"Dell's focus is on leading the industry in simplifying technology and the deployment and implementation of high performance computing solutions for end- users," said Rick Becker, vice president of Solutions, Dell Product Group. "These Cluster Ready Solutions deliver superior cluster choice for first time customers seeking the power and scalability of standards-based solutions with the ease and interoperability they need to reduce complexity and lifecycle management in their high performance computing environments."

"Red Hat, Intel, Dell and Platform Computing have collaborated for several years on building simplicity into our joint HPC products," said Paul Cormier, executive vice president of Engineering, Red Hat, Inc. "Red Hat Enterprise Linux combined with Platform OCS can leverage Intel(R) Cluster Ready and provide a proven, certified and broadly supported cluster stack."

Platform OCS, the first certified Intel(R) Cluster Ready systems software component, enables cluster server vendors to quickly expand their market reach in the fast growing entry-level HPC markets. With the overall simplicity and short time-to-market Platform OCS provides, OEMs have all the tools required to bundle easy-to-use, managed and maintained clusters. Platform OCS also features integration with the leading workload management software Platform LSF making advanced application acceleration available to customers.

"Platform Computing is the dominant HPC systems software company," said Gary Tyreman, vice president and Business Manager of HPC, Platform Computing. "Our market experience positioned us to help define a replicable reference architecture that scales from entry-level to the peta-scale environments. Intel(R) Cluster Ready defines an interchangeable platform that serves the needs of the ISV and end-user community by making compute clusters more widely available, simple, consistent and transparent."

About Platform Computing

Platform Computing is the leading systems infrastructure software company that accelerates applications and delivers IT agility for increased business performance and reduced cost. Founded in 1992, Platform is a pioneer in HPC, Cluster and Grid Computing technologies. Platform has over 2,000 global customers and strategic relationships with Dell, HP, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Red Hat and SAS, along with the industry's broadest support for third-party applications.

For more information, visit http;//www.platform.com.

This product, on its own, does not constitute an Intel(R) Cluster Ready system, nor does combining it with another product ensure that the complete system is Intel(R) Cluster Ready, unless the complete system is specifically certified as an Intel(R) Cluster Ready system.

*This product includes software developed by the Rocks Cluster Group at the San Diego Supercomputer Center at the University of California, San Diego and its contributors.

For more information, visit http://www.platform.com or call 212-679-3300, ext. 127.