AMD adds Linux clustering support for Opteron

SCYLD COMPUTING'S BEOWULF cluster operating system will be upgraded to a 64-bit version optimized for Advanced Micro Devices's (AMD's) forthcoming Opteron server processor by the middle of this year, AMD said Tuesday.

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Beowulf will allow users to build 64-bit clusters of servers running Opteron with an enhanced Linux kernel, AMD said. The Opteron is expected to make its debut in one-way and two-way servers, similar to the model prematurely posted on server vendor Polywell Computers's Web site earlier this month.

Like the Opteron, the new version of Beowulf will be able to run older 32-bit applications, so users can continue to run their older applications as they develop new 64-bit ones for their Beowulf/Opteron servers, AMD said.

Based on AMD's Hammer architecture, Opteron is scheduled to be released in April.

AMD President and Chief Executive Officer Hector Ruiz is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at Linuxworld in New York Wednesday. He is expected to discuss, among other things, the viability of the Opteron processor on Linux.