Product Overview

The Absoft High Performance Computing Software Development Kit (HPC SDK) for Linux on Power has been selected by IBM as the premier Software Developers' Kit for building and running High Performance Computing Applications on IBM Linux on Power™. Absofts HPC SDK consists of pre-configured tools that help you immediately to Compile, Debug, Run, and Optimize High Performance Computing Applications. Included with the tool kit are F95 Fortran compilers from IBM and Absoft, C/C++ compiler from IBM, industry leading Fx2™ Debugging Solution, IBM Engineering and Scientific Subroutine Library (ESSL), the LAM/MPI implementation, MPICH2 MPI implementation, VAX/Unix libraries, graphics and free technical support. Absoft provides a single solution that runs everywhere, ideal for those who maintain code in multiple environments. The HPC SDK includes everything developers need to build and run High Performance Computing Applications on IBM Linux on Power™ clusters in a single integrated package.

The Absoft HPC SDK IBM Linux on Power has been specifically designed to work with the IBM® Grid and Grow™ offerings. See press release.

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We have been using your SDK for just over 6 months now and we have never had a better suite of compilers and tools. The HPC SDK on POWER delivers ease of installation and usage, high performance, flexibility, and reliability that is unsurpassed on the Linux ppc64 platform.
— Dr. Allen D. Malony, Department of Computer and Information Science, University of Oregon
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Product Information Related Information Pricing

Key Benefits
  • The SDK installs instantly and effortlessly Just insert the CD and type one command, then Start using it right away It just works!
  • Start compiling and running applications instantly
  • Absoft's Fortran 95 compiler is source compatible with Fortran on other platforms
  • Result of collaboration between Absoft and IBM to ensure maximum performance and ease of use
  • Absoft's Fortran 95 compiler includes extensive legacy support (old programs just work)
  • Includes innovative software tools making cluster systems development easy while reducing the time it takes to use the solution productively
  • Brings together preconfigured components that are tightly integrated to allow the user to focus on the "Build-Debug-Run-Optimize" cycle for cluster development
  • Premier support and product maintenance included (along with free service packs and quick fixes)
  • gives you peace of mind that any questions or problems you have will be handled in a quick and prompt manner.
  • Exclusive Absoft Modules Environment allows you to easily select & switch between different tools and automatically reconfigure your environment at any time. Developers now can spend more time coding and less time trying to make their development environment work.
  • Available with Absoft's exclusive Floating Network Licenses
  • Comes with many choices of the number and type of server, offering an ideal solution for smaller organizations.
  • Enhancement options for the HPC SDK coming soon!

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Key Features
  • Complete High Performance Computing (HPC) Software Developer's Kit (SDK) for cluster hardware products from IBM includes:
  • Pre-configured 'Best of Breed' software tools which install easily and quickly on your HPC server or cluster - start developing and running applications within minutes
  • Designed to work with IBM® Grid and Grow™ offerings
  • Each HPC SDK includes 12 months of technical support, maintenance and updates at no additional charge.
  • Absoft compilers support all popular extensions and are link/debug compatible with GNU and IBM compilers
  • LAM/MPI is included free, at no additional charge
  • HPC SDK version 1.1 supports all configurations of IBM p5, pSeries, OpenPower™ and BladeCenter™ JS20 running SuSE SLES 9.0 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0
  • Absoft's Fortran 95 includes pre-configured libraries for linear algebra (BLAS, LAPACK95, ATLAS, HDF), VAX/Unix-compatibility and 2D/3D graphics are all included on the distribution CD at no additional charge
  • Optional tools are available for automatically parallelizing serial code for cluster operation
  • Toolkit includes Absoft Fortran 95 compiler which has source compatible versions on Mac OS X, Windows and Linux. Multi-platform discounts available.

Enhanced Edition additionally includes:

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Product Description

The Absoft High Performance Computing Software Development Kit (HPC SDK) for Linux on Power is the premier Software Develpers' Kit for building and running High Performance Computing Applications on IBM Linux on Power™. Absofts HPC SDK consists of pre-configured tools that help you immediately to Compile, Debug, Run, and Optimize High Performance Computing Applications.

Included with the tool kit are the high performance IBM XL Fortran and XL C/C++ Advanced Edition compilers for IBM Linux on Power™, Absoft's highly optimizing Fortran 95 compiler for IBM Linux on Power™, the industry leading Fx2™ Debugging Solution, IBM highly optimized Engineering and Scientific Subroutine Library (ESSL), the Absoft Modules Environment, the Absoft Common Installer, VAX/Unix libraries, graphics and free technical support. Absoft provides a single solution that runs everywhere, ideal for those who maintain code in multiple environments. Absoft Fortran 95 for LoP is a native LSB compliant 64-bit compiler which generates both 32-bit and 64-bit applications. Also included is a comprehensive suite of prebuilt libraries and options for an automatic parallelizing pre-processor, automatic VMX vector support, and OpenMP are available options. The HPC SDK includes everything developers need to build and run High Performance Computing Applications on IBM Linux on Power™ clusters in a single integrated package.

The new High Performance Computing Software Development Kit (HPC SDK) overcomes the barriers of HPC Software Development, making it possible to extend the benefits of clustered computing to individuals and small departments. The HPC SDK is offered with IBMs packaged rack-optimized servers and blades in a variety of packaged, pre-tested clustered configurations.

The HPC SDK combines all the 'Best of Breed' software components necessary to compile, debug, run and optimize HPC software and establishes Absoft Corporation as the single point of contact and follow-up questions and support needs. Available exclusively from Absoft and IBM, the HPC SDK includes compilers, debuggers, message passing libraries, numerical libraries, an intelligent installer, an uninstaller and an environment configuration module from IBM, Absoft, and open sources. The Absoft Module Environment allows additional tools to be easily installed and configured as customer development needs change.

The HPC SDK is a complete High Performance Computing Software Development environment that is easy to install, simple to use, and incorporates the most powerful, best-of-breed HPC development tools available. The new Absoft HPC SDK will be available for all configurations of IBM Linux on Power clusters and servers running Red Hat's RHEL 4 or SuSE's SLES 9. The HPC SDK comes with a common installer and a common license manager available exclusively from Absoft.

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Special Features
  • IBM has selected Absoft as the single point of contact for the new High Performance Computing Software Developers Kit for IBM hardware
  • The Kit consists of compilers, debuggers, and other developer tools necessary to implement C++ and Fortran applications on High Performance clusters for faster results
  • Combines commercial and open-source tools to support the 'Build, debug, run, optimize' development cycle for high-performance software applications
  • Installs easily, effortlessly – begin developing & deploying HPC codes right away
  • Included IBM XL compilers available exclusively through Absoft under control of the Absoft Common License Manager (ACLM) Floating licenses
  • New concurrent user pricing for floating network license options
  • Speeds time-to-productivity Yields affordable solutions that can be incrementally expanded as workloads grow
  • Allows many choices of the number and type of server, offering ideal solutions for smaller organizations
  • Provides validated configuration with a single point of contact for continuing support
  • Speeds time-to-productivity
  • Revolutionary BladeCenter design delivers the optimal combination of performance density and integration
  • Power processor-based systems optimized for both HPC application environments and for clients desiring an affordable, simplified environment for 32-bit to 64-bit migration
  • Includes useful compiler and debugger software tools from IBM and Absoft to help improve developer productivity and drive higher levels of utility from the cluster
  • Includes access to useful software productivity tools from Absoft, IBM, and open sources to help yield high performance, improve ease-of use, and drive higher levels of utility from the cluster.
  • One year of free Absoft technical support gives you peace of mind that any questions or problems you have will be handled in a quick and prompt manner.
  • Single point of contact for all HPC SDK tools and technologies reduces maintenance and ensures that "It Just Works"
  • Pre-configured & tightly integrated software components reduces development time by allowing developer to focus on the "Compile, Run, Debug, Optimize" cycle.
  • Flexible Absoft Modules technology allows for easy customization and control of the development environment. Developers now can spend more time coding and less time trying to make their development environment work.
  • Consolidated licensing and management tools eliminate component maintenance headaches.
  • Absofts "Tri-click" installation and configuration makes complicated software easy and painless to use right away – with only three simple clicks, customers can install the entire tool kit.

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Performance

IBM's innovative, industry-leading POWER architecture meets the high-performance demands for modern customers with a proven roadmap in 32-bit and 64-bit computing that has built upon the history of IBM's chip technology. Known as the first "server on a chip," the POWER architecture offers customers technology solutions that complement the flexibility of Linux and capitalize on the growing demand for 64-bit applications.

IBM® pSeries Linux servers provide:

  • Large memory capabilities
  • Advanced floating point computing
  • 64-bit addressability
  • Tuned compilers from Absoft and IBM®

These features allow companies to take full advantage of POWER4 and POWER5 technology to deliver high-performance applications, backed by a proven architecture.

An 8-way p650 achieved leading Linux results on the STREAM benchmark which is a synthetic program written in FORTRAN that measures sustainable memory bandwidth (in MB/s) and the corresponding computation rate for simple vector kernels.

IBM® pSeries® systems are available with SUSE and Red Hat Linux operating systems (OS) on IBM's POWER microprocessor-based architecture. The recently introduced IBM eServer BladeCenterT JS20 is also based on the POWER architecture, is enabled for SUSE Linux and gives IBM customers a POWER processor-based, low-cost, high-performance computing solution in a BladeCenter environment.

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What's New

The upcoming v2.0 of the High Performance Computing Software Development Kit for IBM Linux on POWER™ Cluster includes updates to the included tools:

  • IBM XL C/C++ v8.0
  • IBM XL Fortran v10.1
  • Engineering Scientific Subroutine Library (ESSL)
  • Updated LAM/MPI libraries
  • Updated MPICH2 libraries
  • New Absoft examples and benchmarks

The latest release of the High Performance Computing Software Development Kit for IBM Linux on POWER™ Clusters has expanded support and improved performance.

  • Now supports Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4
  • Includes the latest releases of the IBM XL Fortran and XL C/C++ compilers
  • New Absoft compiler (version 9.0 enhanced package)
  • New Fx2 Debugger (enhanced package) from Absoft
  • New Modules Environment
  • The latest ESSL Math Science and Engineering libraries from IBM, included, have new enhancements for POWER™
  • Improved LAM/MPI 7.1.2 library
  • MPICH2 1.0.1 library

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Ease of Use

The HPC developer will encounter a simple, intuitive environment that allows the developer to focus on the debug, run, optimize development cycle. The HPC SDK makes cluster development pleasant and productive for beginner and advanced developers alike. The HPC SDK also will grow with you in the future, allowing for installation of best of breed add on's to enhance the base SDK to further improve productivity and performance.

The Absoft debugger/SDK
installed easily and
efficiently under SLES 9. I
performed a quick test by
compiling a simple Fortran
app using the Absoft f77
compiler, then I ran it
through the debugger
without any problems.

— David Guezuraga, IBM Austin

IBM offers comprehensive cluster packages in a variety of configurations to suit the needs of smaller organizations. Each cluster consists of compute servers devoted to running applications, a management server in place for administering the cluster resources, and a network interconnect to allow communications to and among the compute servers.

The combination of IBM and the HPC SDK software development environment create a cohesive, complete HPC software development solution. Experienced users will appreciate the HPC SDKs ability to customize their development environment. Switching between compilers, modifying development environments, adding additional tools and changing the configuration is simple and easy using the Absoft Modules Environment.

The HPC SDK is a complete High Performance Computing Software Development environment that is easy to install, simple to use, and incorporates the most powerful, best-of-breed HPC development tools available. The new Absoft HPC SDK will be available for all configurations of IBM Linux on Power clusters and servers running Red Hat's RHEL 4 or SuSE's SLES 9. The basic HPC SDK comes pre-configured and includes: IBM's performance leading XL Fortran and XL C/C++ compilers, Absofts multi-platform compatible Fortran95 compiler, Absoft's multi-language Fx2 Debugging Solution, IBM's highly optimized ESSL Mathematical and Scientific Libraries and LAM/MPI. LAM/MPI is included for free, prebuilt and optimized for IBM's POWER™ processors, at no additional charge. Also included are the MPICH2 MPI libraries. The HPC SDK comes with a common installer and a common license manager available exclusively from Absoft.

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Availability Date

December 19 2004

  • Electronic Delivery full Media Documentation

December 31 2004

  • Mail orders shipped

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System Requirements

Recommended Minimum

  • IBM Power™ Series processor: POWER4, POWER5 or PowerPC 970
  • 256MB RAM
  • 130MB HD space

The HPC SDK is specially designed and optimized for clusters using IBMs POWER4 and POWER5 architecture running Linux. The specific operating system versions supported are:

  • SUSE™ Linux Enterprise Server 9 (SLES 9)
  • Red Hat™ Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 4.0 AS, ES and WS

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Try and Buy

No evaluations are available for the Absoft HPC-SDK.

A demo of the product can be seen here.

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Debugger Options

Fx2™ Debugger - now included with HPC SDK

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Compatibilty and Companion Products

Additional third party products can be found on Fortran resources.

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Technical Support

Full technical support from friendly technicians is included at no additional charge with each new product from Absoft. To ensure your software continues running at maximum efficiency, all registered Absoft customers can download service packs and quick fixes at no charge. Customers and partners can subscribe to Absoft's free electronic mailing list to receive electronic bulletins and update notices advising of new updates, changes in product releases, new product announcements and other news.

The HPC SDK for Linux On Power includes 12 months of FREE technical software support from Absoft Corporation. When you purchase the HPC SDK, or purchase a Linux on Power based cluster from IBM with the HPC SDK, you receive FREE technical support on all components of the HPC SDK from Absofts friendly technical support engineers. With Absoft as the single point of contact customers receive answers faster and save time and money while taking advantage of Absofts 20 years experience as a developer and software solutions provider for Power-based applications.

IBM selected Absoft Corporation as the partner to provide this complete development solution for HPC customers. The Absoft HPC SDK provides customers with a full set of the highest caliber tools for the compile, debug, run, optimize process of application development.

Absoft is the best choice for a single point of contact for customers to purchase the HPC SDK and receive top quality support.

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Order Information

Product name: HPC SDK for IBM Linux on Power™

Product part number(s):

CDKR4CSS HPC SDK for RedHat's RHEL 4 64-bit IBM Linux on Power™ Commercial
CDKS4CSS HPC SDK for SuSE's SLES 9 64-bit IBM Linux on Power™ Commercial
CDKR4ESS HPC SDK for RedHat's RHEL 4 64-bit IBM Linux on Power™ Academic
CDKS4ESS HPC SDK for SuSE's SLES 9 64-bit IBM Linux on Power™ Academic

Pricing: See Price section

Orders: Contact sales

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Terms and Conditions

Agreement: Absoft Software License Agreement.
The following license agreement should be reviewed prior to purchase:
IBM End User License Agreement for XL C/C++ Enterprise Edition and XL Fortran Enterprise Edition

Limited warranty applies: Yes

Warranty: Absoft and its Licensors warrant that the media on which the software is supplied shall be free of defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for a period of 90 days from the date of purchase. For additional warranty information, see the Absoft Software License Agreement.

Premier Technical Support

Premier Technical Support includes free technical assistance for routine, short duration installation and usage (how-to) questions, limited code-related questions, access to the Absoft user forum and FAQ's and access to friendly technical support engineers via fax, email or telephone during normal support hours. Premier Technical Support is at no charge is as long as the purchased product version is current.

Please contact Absoft directly for further details or questions on Technical Support.

Disclaimer: Premier Technical Support cannot be used as a tutorial to assist in the design and development of applications, use of programs in other than their specified operating environment, provide instructions on general system operation or explore failures caused by products for which Absoft is not responsible under this agreement.

Initial Software Maintenance (ISM)

Initial Software Maintenance includes free electronic downloads of all interim Service Packs and Quick Fixes from Absoft. Version upgrades require separate purchase but at discounted prices.

Continuing Software Maintenance (CSM)

At the conclusion of the Initial Software Maintenance term (i.e. when a new version of the purchased product is released) customers may either purchase a Product Upgrade or within 30 days of the new product release, purchase Continuing Software Maintenance (CSM) for an additional 12 month maintenance term. Continuing Software Maintenance includes all elements of Premier Technical support plus all Product Upgrades issued during the 12 month Continuing Software Maintenance term. Annual renewals of Software Maintenance will be made available at low-cost to customers who renew within their unexpired Maintenance term.

For users electing not to renew Continuing Software Maintenance and having expired maintenance terms but later wishing to rejoin CSM, Reinstatement Software Maintenance (RSM) terms may be purchased.

Third party products distributed by Absoft are subject to license terms and policies of their respective manufacturers.

Please contact Absoft directly for further details or questions on Technical Support or Software Maintenance.

MaxFlex Flexible Licensing available: No

Floating Network Licenses available: Yes

Volume orders: Yes. Contact Absoft sales directly.

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Additional Information / Notices

None

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Pricing for HPC SDK for Linux on Power™ Clusters

Pricing is based on the size of the cluster and the number of concurrent users. Please contact Absoft sales.

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