With the right software, a cluster of low-power, low-performance server
blades can equal the performance of a traditional multiprocessor server
while using less space and power. The Super Dense Server is a prototype
blade server system based on low-power Intel CPUs and the CompactPCI
chassis standard. IBM Austin researchers developed the Super Dense
Server hardware as well as software which solves crucial system management
and performance problems inherent in blades. The Super Dense Server
blades have no hard disks or consoles, yet they run normal Linux applications
and can be completely remotely administered. The Super Dense Server
team also developed Power-Aware Request Distribution, a technique
to adapt to changing load by turning blades within the cluster on
and off.
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