We just finished updating the standard configurations on our line of CUBE high performance computers, and thought it would be a good time to update everyone on some other areas of this product line. Every week more and more simulation users reach out to PADT and ask us to design custom systems for them to run a variety of simulation tools, and more of our ANSYS customers are bundling hardware with their software purchases. Our experience in designing, building, and supporting these systems and their users has helped us improve many aspects of the CUBE product.
Branding
We are changing the branding from CUBE HVPC Systems to just CUBE Simulation Computers. The machines are still high in value and high in performance, but to be honest the whole High Value Performance Computing concept may have been a little too “forward thinking.” In the end, what we are doing is designing computers for people running simulation software. Why not just call them what they are: Simulation Computers. While we simplify our message, we are also simplifying our logo:
Same colors as the PADT logo, and a lot simpler. Our sales team has assured me that my time fiddling with the logo will result in a significant increase in revenue…we will see. But it is easier to look at on the front of my box.
New Systems
The event that caused us to redo our branding was butting together the new base systems. We do this to provide potential users with information on what their system could look like, and what it might cost. Our IT Manager and chief system architect, David Mastel, designed eight systems that we feel should serve as good starting points for most users. Three are AMD based for those that have large models that can really take advantage of parallel. The remaining five are based on the latest Intel processors.
You can view the brochure here, or just review this snap of the 8 systems:
We now offer two workstations: a base system and one that you can run most FEA and small to medium CFD models on. The servers are based on systems we just built. The W16i-k server has the latest Intel chip clocked at 3.4GB, plenty of RAM, and a GPU that make this a real screamer for most FEA models and even some hefty CFD runs. It also makes a great head node on a cluster. It is beefy enough to share across several users.
This year we have pre-configured a mini-cluster because we ran across customers who didn’t have the budget for a full cluster, but needed something to run large jobs on. The larger Mid-Clusters are sized to work for most users, but if you need more we can add nodes to make them full clusters. The Intel mid-cluster only fills half of a standard rack.
Accessories
When we talk to potential customers, we often find that they do not need a new system, they just need to add some accessories to the systems they have. To help our customers out on pricing, we have signed up to be a reseller with several manufacturers:
3D Mouse from 3DConnexion
We have been using the SapceMouse and SpacePilot devices for years for CAD and Simulation. If you are not familiar with the product, they are basically pucks on a six axis sensor that you twist how you want the object on the screen to move. No more CTRL-SHIFT-Middle-Mouse. We started adding these to the workstations and visualization nodes that we sell. The savings in carpal-tunnel treatments alone are worth the investment. 
As you can see from this image, the models vary from the simple SpaceNavigator, to a full control center for your 3D escapades with the SpacePilotPro. The wireless one works great for us on shared computers and on the laptops we demo ANSYS products on. Take a look on their website to learn more. Just don’t hit the “Buy Now” button, give us a call and we can work a nice deal and help you configure it for your software.
NVIDIA GPU’s
Give us a call or shoot us an email and tell us about thy type of simulation you do and the existing machine you want to add a GPU to. Our experts can make a recommendation and provide you with a very competitive quote that comes with support on getting your ANSYS solver working with your new GPU. If you existing system can’t handle a GPU (they need a lot of power and room) then we can work up an upgrade or a new system so you can take advantage of this real time saver.
Mellanox Infiniband
When you are ready to step up to cluster computing, you will need a high speed interconnect so your solver can talk between nodes directly. We have had great luck with FDR and QDR systems from Mellanox and have gained significant real world experience getting them to work with the ANSYS Solvers and several flavors of MPI. Let us know where you are interconnect wise, and where you want to go, and we will work with you and your IT team to give you a cost effective but fast solution. There is no longer any reason why inter-process communication is your bottleneck.
Hard Drives, Solid State Drives, BlueRay Burners, RAM ,RedHat, or a new Motherboard
The accessories above are what we have been certified on as value-added resellers. Through our distributors, we can deliver pretty much any piece of computer equipment. The same stuff you can buy yourself from a dozen websites. The PADT difference is we know ANSYS software, and we know simulation computers. We take the guess work out of finding the right solution by taking the time to learn what you have and what you need, then using our experience to get you the best solution.
Time to Step Out of the Box, and Step in to a CUBE
Stop dealing with a giant name brand supplier who wants to sell you a web server renamed as an HPC system. And stop trolling web sites trying to find the right hardware. CUBE computers are fast, they are reliable, they are affordable, and they are configured for nothing but simulation. Contact our experts and let us run a quote for you. Worst case is you will learn a thing or two about high performance computing for simulation. Best case you will end up with a more productive solution for less money.
