ScaleMP, a provider of virtualization solutions for high-end computing, has announced a strategic collaboration with AMD for vSMP Foundation to support AMD Opteron processor-based servers. The collaboration enables users to scale AMD-based servers beyond four processors and create AMD Opteron processor-based virtual systems with up to 512 sockets (up to 8192 cores) and 64TB of memory.

"The ability for our customers to aggregate individual AMD Opteron processor-based servers into a virtual high-end symmetric multiprocessor (vSMP) computer with vSMP Foundation is a game-changer. Our customers can now easily build a cost-effective large memory and CPU system out of up to 128 servers to help meet their high performance computing needs," said Margaret Lewis, director, product marketing, AMD.

Traditional multi-processor systems require the creation of a custom chipset and board to enable processor communication and shared memory. The larger the system is, the more complex and costly the required solution. vSMP Foundation creates a single virtual symmetric multiprocessing system (vSMP) by combining multiple commodity servers and enabling multiple physical systems to function as a single logical system. It is unknown how efficient such virtual SMP systems are compared to multi-socket custom machines.

vSMP Foundation will support both AMD Opteron 6100- and 6200-series chips with up to twelve and up to sixteen cores, respectively.

“Supporting AMD servers has been a goal of ours. AMD has a long history of offering powerful, yet cost-effective solutions and we have always seen a natural fit. Through this collaboration, ScaleMP enables AMD customers to create large virtual SMPs that will lower the TCO for organizations – enabling customers to focus their time and budgets on their applications and workloads," said Shai Fultheim, founder and chief executive officer of ScaleMP.

The upcoming release of vSMP Foundation will support aggregating up to 128 AMD processor-based servers, providing customers with up to 64TB RAM and 512 sockets, offering thousands of cores. A limited release of vSMP Foundation will be available to customers starting October 1, 2011, followed by a general availability November 21, 2011.

Tags: ScaleMP, AMD, Opteron, Interlagos, Bulldozer, Orochi, Valencia, 32nm