Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Linux Chosen for IBM's New Supercomputer

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the called-up-from-the-farm-leagues dept.

Uhh_Duh writes "news.com is reporting that Linux will be the main OS in the Blue Gene - IBM's $100m supercomputer project. The Blue Gene will contain 65,000 processors and 16 trillion bytes of memory." Wow. That's a lot of nuclear weapons simulations.

3 of 337 comments (clear)

  1. Open source IBM by Sacarino · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Anyone else notice this?

    The decision to adopt Linux came, in part, as a result of the growing size and strength of the open-source community. Thousands of developers around the world are participating in the evolution of Linux. Creating a new OS inside of IBM would require a massive engineering effort.

    followed by

    We chose Linux because it's open and....saw considerable advantage in using an operating system supported by the open-source community, so that we can get their input and feedback."

    So, basically, IBM doesn't want to design their own proprietary system (smart) and plans to use the resources currently available. (also smart)

    They want open-source to get them rich, right? Less initial cost by the company, etc etc. What are the odds they'll profit-share with people they're getting rich off of? (well, ok, attempting)

    --
    -- El Sacarino tiene gusto de la chocha
  2. Re:The end of AIX by rseuhs · · Score: 5, Interesting
    All comercial Unices except Solaris are being replaced by Linux, not just AIX.

    In 5 years, there will be only Linux, BSD and Solaris - with BSD and Solaris being binary and source compatible to Linux.

    Linux has reunited Unix, this is a good thing because it didn't happen by monopilzation from one company. There is lot of diversity within Linux (lots of different vendors and supporters) but it's all compatible.

  3. Re:Deep Thought? by N+Monkey · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Building a computer, to tell you how to build another, larger, more complex computer. Hrmmm..

    Uh, that's how it works in general. Or did you think modern CPUs were laid out by hand?

    Continuing on that theme, it's written (at least next to the Apple 1 and Cray machines at the Science Museum in London) that Seymour Cray used an Apple to design his super computers while Apple used a Cray to simulate one of their designs.