Abstract: A multi-node computer system, comprising: a plurality of nodes, a system control unit and a carrier board. Each node of the plurality of nodes comprises a processor and a memory. The system control unit is responsible for: power management, cooling, workload provisioning, native storage servicing, and I/O. The carrier board comprises a system fabric and a plurality of electrical connections. The electrical connections provide the plurality of nodes with power, management controls, system connectivity between the system control unit and the plurality of nodes, and an external network connection to a user infrastructure. The system control unit and the carrier board provide integrated, shared resources for the plurality of nodes. The multi-node computer system is provided in a single enclosure.

Abstract: A multi-node computer system, comprising: a plurality of nodes, a system control unit and a carrier board. Each node of the plurality of nodes comprises a processor and a memory. The system control unit is responsible for: power management, cooling, workload provisioning, native storage servicing, and I/O. The carrier board comprises a system fabric and a plurality of electrical connections. The electrical connections provide the plurality of nodes with power, management controls, system connectivity between the system control unit and the plurality of nodes, and an external network connection to a user infrastructure. The system control unit and the carrier board provide integrated, shared resources for the plurality of nodes. The multi-node computer system is provided in a single enclosure.

Abstract: A multi-node computer system, comprising: a plurality of nodes, a system control unit and a carrier board. Each node of the plurality of nodes comprises a processor and a memory. The system control unit is responsible for: power management, cooling, workload provisioning, native storage servicing, and I/O. The carrier board comprises a system fabric and a plurality of electrical connections. The electrical connections provide the plurality of nodes with power, management controls, system connectivity between the system control unit and the plurality of nodes, and an external network connection to a user infrastructure. The system control unit and the carrier board provide integrated, shared resources for the plurality of nodes. The multi-node computer system is provided in a single enclosure.

Abstract: A multi-node computer system, comprising: a plurality of nodes, a system control unit and a carrier board. Each node of the plurality of nodes comprises a processor and a memory. The system control unit is responsible for: power management, cooling, workload provisioning, native storage servicing, and I/O. The carrier board comprises a system fabric and a plurality of electrical connections. The electrical connections provide the plurality of nodes with power, management controls, system connectivity between the system control unit and the plurality of nodes, and an external network connection to a user infrastructure. The system control unit and the carrier board provide integrated, shared resources for the plurality of nodes. The multi-node computer system is provided in a single enclosure.

Abstract: Client node caching in a global file service. A client node receives a leaf image from a remote storage node storing a base image that is read-only accessible to the client node. The leaf image has a portion of the base image modified by the client node. The client node stores the leaf image in a cache on the client node. Unmodified portions of the base image are accessed from the remote storage node. Modified portions of the base image are accessed from the cache. The leaf images may comprise a branch modification log having portions of the base image modified by the client node and a metadata structure. The metadata structure has pointers to the modified data in the branch modification log and pointers to data unmodified by the client node in the base image. Alternatively, the leaf images may comprise a change volume for changes made to the base image by the client node.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to an apparatus for sharing memory among a plurality of compute nodes. The apparatus includes a memory, a plurality of interfaces for coupling the apparatus with the compute nodes, a switching fabric coupled with the interfaces, and a processor coupled with the switching fabric and the memory. The processor is operable to assign a portion of the memory to a particular compute node for exclusive access by the particular compute node.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system for distributing an application environment to a compute node. The system includes a first storage unit for storing blocks of a root image of the compute node and a second storage unit for storing a leaf image comprising new data blocks and changes to the blocks of the root image. The system further includes a union block device for interfacing between the compute node and the first and second storage units to distribute the application environment to the compute node. The union block device creates the application environment by merging the blocks of the root image stored on the first storage unit with the leaf image stored on the second storage unit.

Abstract: Present invention unity parallel processing systems and methods facilitate flexible utilization of sequential program applications in a distributed multi-computer parallel processing environment. The new unity parallel processing architecture enables multiple processing nodes (e.g., SMPs) to perform multi-thread processing within the multiple processing nodes while providing a shared virtual global memory space. Symmetric multiprocessors run shared memory applications with modified runtime guidance directives that permit the memories to emulate a virtual global memory across the plurality of symmetric multiprocessors. Within each SMP node, programs utilize multiple threads according to directives and library calls. Across multiple SMP nodes, each SMP node is treated as a single process with one-way communication to other SMP nodes.

Abstract: A computer networking system includes a cross bar switch and a protocol for operating the same. The crossbar switch typically connects a plurality of ports one to another and the protocol establishes a connection between a first desired port and a second desired port selected from the plurality of ports. Each port further connects to a compute element via a master bidirectional bus and a slave bidirectional bus. Any of the compute elements can serve as either a master or slave to any other compute element connected to the crossbar switch. A master port connects the bidirectional bus to the crossbar switch and a slave port connects the slave bidirectional bus to the crossbar switch. The master port is reserved for compute element initiated operations while the slave port is reserved for network initiated operations.