High-performance computing once required massive, expensive, exotic machines from companies such as Cray, but the field is being remade by the arrival of clusters of low-end machines. While the trend could be considered an opportunity for Microsoft, which has long been the leading operating-system company, Linux has actually become the favoured software used on these clusters.
Now Microsoft has begun its response, forming its High Performance Computing team and planning a new OS version called Windows Server HPC Edition. Kyril Faenov is director of the effort, and Microsoft is hiring new managers, programmers, testers and others.
The software colossus has its work cut out in the market -- and knows it.
"Winning in this important space against entrenched Linux/open-source software competition requires creativity, innovation, speed of execution, and deep engagements with hardware, software and academic partners," reads a job posting for a programme manager responsible for setting up the team's academic partnerships.
In a recent interview, Bob Muglia, a Microsoft senior vice president who leads the development of Windows Server, said the company is interested in two particular areas: building high-performance computing clusters and harvesting the unused processing power of PCs.
Although Microsoft is a comparative newcomer to the market, the company could bring several advantages:
The business imperative
The high-performance effort doesn't mark the first time Microsoft has tried to head off Linux's progress. With Windows Server 2003, Microsoft released a lower-priced Web server edition, as Linux was growing popular for use on the machines that host Web sites.
"The Windows Server group is really focused on countering Linux," said Rob Helm, an analyst with Directions on Microsoft. "They've identified specific areas where Linux has the most traction."
The HPC Edition is also an example of a Microsoft strategy to increase revenue by creating versions of Windows tailored for specific market segments -- for example, Windows for tablet PCs, digital TV recorders and storage servers.
