Intel buys Cray supercomputer interconnect tech, staff
updated 08:45 pm EDT, Tue April 24, 2012
Intel acquires Cray IP and staff for its HPC arm
Intel has entered into an agreement with Cray to acquire IP and staff related to its high-performance computing (HPC) interconnect program. According to Intel, the Cray interconnect team is responsible for the Gemini interconnect and the upcoming Aries interconnect. The Aries interconnect will form part of Cray’s next-gen supercomputer, codenamed Cascade, that will be powered by Intel’s Xeon processors.
The move would be needed for "continued advancement" in supercomputing, including "breaking the Exascale barrier," Intel’s Datacenter and Connected System Group VP Diane Bryant said.
The Cascade supercomputer will be used by the Defense Advanced Research Projects (DARPA) high-performance computing program, while Intel is expected to benefit from its acquisition by applying the technologies to its mainframes and server businesses. Intel said that it expects to close the deal by the end of June subject to government approval and other conditions being met.
