What's New in Windows and Azure HPC

Recent updates to high-performance computing (HPC) solutions for Windows emphasize integration with Windows Azure by offering larger compute-intensive instances, better virtual networks, and more flexible scheduling and management. Also included are updates to allow very fast communication between Azure HPC nodes for parallel applications. The availability of hosted HPC means that customers can take advantage of the cloud to run larger-than-normal workloads without incurring additional infrastructure costs and complexity.

Azure Integration and RDMA

Windows HPC helps solve compute-intensive problems on arrays of computers (called compute nodes) under the control of a management server (the head node). When run on Windows Server Standard or Datacenter editions, the free HPC Pack turns that server into a head node. The HPC Pack can then also be installed on compute nodes running on other Windows servers; x86 or x64 Windows client workstations; or Azure worker role virtual machines (referred to as instances) running a version of Windows Server.