New servers, informatics and database software, and an appliance that protects data were among the new products introduced last week.
Apple announced it will now offer its Workgroup Cluster with two popular numerical analysis programs: Wolfram gridMathematica or Mathworks MATLAB. Similar to the way Apple offers the Workgroup Cluster for Bioinformatics, which includes of The BioTeam’s iNquiry informatics software, researchers can opt for a pre-configured and certified cluster that includes Xserve G5 servers running Mac OS X, other system software, and the distributed computing versions of the Wolfram or Mathworks applications. (For more details about the new offerings, see: Apple Adds Analysis Apps to Workgroup Cluster.)
Spotfire announced DecisionSite for Microarray Analysis (DSMA), new analysis software for conducting gene expression analysis. DSMA complements DecisionSite and DecisionSite for Functional Genomics, which both can be used to analyze and visualize microarray data. DSMA provides tools for power users to perform more in-depth analysis of microarray data. For example, DSMA can import and process native Affymetrix CEL and CHP files, can incorporate advanced clustering methods for data analysis, and offers the flexibility in handling and comparing different array technologies. Additionally, with DSMA, researchers can develop guided workflows (containing a sequence of steps) that can be reused and shared.
Dell announced it has added multi-core technology to its dual-socket servers and workstations. Specifically, the dual-socket Dell PowerEdge 1850, 2800, 2850, and 1855 blade servers and the Dell Precision 470 and 670 workstations will now be available with Intel dual-core Xeon processors. The PowerEdge 1850, 2800, 2850, and 1855 servers can be ordered with factory-installed Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Starting prices for the servers are $2,448, $2,448, $2,548, and $2,748, respectively. The Precision 470 and 670 workstations can be ordered with either Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Starting prices are $2,479 and $2,779, respectively.
Cray announced a partnership with Mitrionics to make it easier for researchers to use field-programmable gate array (FPGA) technology in Cray’s XD1 supercomputer. Researchers will be able to use Mitrionics’ Mitrion Virtual Processor and Mitrion Software Development Kit to program FPGAs integrated into the Cray XD1. Typically, FPGAs are programmed using what is called a Hardware Description Language, which most software programmers and researchers do not know. The Mitrionics software lets researchers program FPGAs just as they would program a computer. For more details about the way the Mitrionics software works, see: Mitrionics Plans Life Science FPGA Push).
MySQL AB announced the release of MySQL 5.0, an update of its open source database application. Key enhancements in version 5.0 include support of new ANSI SQL standard features (including Stored Procedures, Stored Functions, and views) that were not supported in previous versions of MySQL; ANSI SQL standard compliance of existing MySQL features; and new MySQL storage engines, tools, and extensions.
Revivio announced the Revivio Continuous Protection System (CPS) 1200i, a data protection appliance that lets companies quickly restore lost or corrupted data to any previous point in time. The CPS 1200i is designed to protect the data of applications outside of a corporate datacenter. For instance, it is intended for the protection of departmental applications or standalone applications (such as e-mail) that are run at remote data centers. The CPS 1200i complements Revivio’s existing CPS 1200, which is a data protection appliance intended for large data centers.
PathScale announced high-performance switch vendor Voltaire will make PathScale’s InfiniBand adapters available in Voltaire’s grid solutions portfolio. Specifically, Voltaire is adding the PathScale InfiniPath HTX InfiniBand adapter to its portfolio of InfiniBand adapters offered in its switches.