Abstract
INTRODUCTION
High-performance computing (HPC) refers to the use of parallel supercomputers
and computer clusters-that is, computing systems comprised of multiple
(usually mass-produced) processors linked together in a single system whose
performance is typically rated in the teraflop (TFLOP) and higher range. This
report focuses on HPC enabling technologies, specifically microprocessors,
system memory, interconnects, data storage, thermal management, and software.
There are several reasons for this report' s focus on enabling technologies,
including the fact that the market for HPC systems per se is already the
subject of continuing coverage from other IT analyst firms. On a more
substantive level, it is on the level of enabling technologies that
developments are taking place with the potential to broaden the market for HPC.
In particular, enabling technologies play an important role in broadening the
market for HPC. Because of the complexity of HPC hardware and software, HPC
until recently has been more or less limited to university engineering and
research departments and specialized vertical markets such as oil and gas
exploration, bioscience, and financial research.
Today, a growing number of enterprises are taking advantage of the affordable
computing power of clustered standards-based servers running commodity
processors to assemble and manage smaller-scale HPC systems on their own. As
these pioneers prove the business case for do-it-yourself, in-house HPC in
enterprise settings, in-house HPC will become an increasingly important driver
of the overall HPC market.
SCOPE OF STUDY
This report contains:
- Descriptions of enabling technologies and products for HPC
(microprocessors, system memory, interconnects, data storage, thermal
management, and software) with the greatest commercial potential in the near
to mid-term (2007-2012)
- Analysis of the key drivers that will shape the market for HPC enabling
technologies over the next 5 years
- Estimates of the current and future demand for HPC technologies and
products
- A patent analysis and company profiles of developers and vendors.
METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES
The findings and conclusions of this report are based on information gathered
from industry sources, including vendors and users of HPC products. Interview
data were combined with information gathered through an extensive review of
secondary sources such as trade publications, trade associations, company
literature, and online databases to produce the market projections contained
in this report.
Analytical methodologies used to generate the market estimates are described
in detail in the section on Detailed Market Projections. The documentation is
intended to enable the reader to evaluate the projections and, if desired,
substitute alternative assumptions.
All dollar projections presented in this report are in 2005 constant dollars,
unless otherwise noted.
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