Novell today unveiled its first validated Linux-based high performance computing (HPC) system.

Conforming to Novell's Validated Configuration Programme launched earlier this year, the integrated system is based on HP BladeSystem servers, SuSE Linux Enterprise Server from Novell, and additional components from Novell and HP partners.

The offering will boost Linux-based HPC by making it easier to deploy a complex, clustered Linux-based infrastructure, according to Novell.

"The combination of HP's BladeSystem and Proliant servers and SuSE Linux under Novell's Validation Configuration Programme delivers a complete, easy to setup and install HPC hardware and software offering that is highly secure, scalable and enterprise ready," said Robert Desautels, president of Harvard Research Group.

"Researchers, scientists and business professionals who rely on HPC clusters to meet mission critical requirements should put this offering on their shortlist."

According to Novell, organisations are increasingly turning to HPC to deliver the power required for applications ranging from high-end, intensive scientific and engineering problems to commercial data-intensive tasks.

Seismic analysis for oil exploration, aerodynamic simulation for motor and aircraft design, molecular modelling for biomedical research, data mining and financial modelling for business analysis all require HPC power.

The Novell/HP offering has been tailored to address the needs of five industries with clearly identified HPC requirements: electronic design automation, financial services, life sciences, manufacturing and oil and gas.

A specific configuration bundle has been developed for each of these vertical industries.

"HP examined the insight it had gained from HP Linux Reference Architectures development and customer implementations, and realised that adding an HPC stack was a natural way to extend the benefits of Linux integration to our HPC customers," said Efrain Rovira, worldwide director for open source and Linux at HP.

Validated configuration data, which includes performance test results, recommended configuration information, and best practices for deployment, is currently available from Novell and HP.