ACCELERATI NG THE PERFORMANCE OF REALISTI C

SI MULATI ON
Microsoft Windows HPC Server 2008 Speeds Virtual Testing
PARTNER PROFI LE
SIMULIA is the Dassault Systmes
brand that provides scalable
simulation solutions, including
Abaqus Unifed FEA and CATIA
Analysis product suites, as well
as an open platform to support
multiphysics analysis.
CHALLENGE
Mechanical simulation software is used to
cut costs and accelerate time-to-innovation
in product development and research. It
enables engineers to evaluate their conceptual
ideas early in the design process, analyze
their designs to understand the interactions
between parts, and simulate realistic product
performance to reduce the need for physical
prototypes.
However, scientists and engineers often rely
upon analysis software from multiple vendors,
which creates inoperability challenges.
Additionally, since simulations are comprised
of many complex calculations, a large amount
of computing power is required to run them
efciently. High-performance computing (HPC)
solutions have traditionally been difcult to
set up and administer, often requiring a
dedicated IT staf with specialized skills to
maintain them.
SOLUTI ON
SIMULIA, the Dassault Systmes brand for
realistic simulation, provides customers
with a Unifed Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
solution that consolidates the number of
analysis products they need to capture
real-world behavior. The Abaqus Unifed
FEA software suite provides robust analysis
technology and provides a powerful
and complete solution for both routine and
sophisticated linear and nonlinear engineering
problems. When the Abaqus Unifed FEA
software suite runs on Microsoft Windows
HPC Server 2008, companies can achieve a
scalable simulation solution on an easy-to-use
computing platform that supports realistic
simulation.
OVERVI EW
When Abaqus calculations are run on a
Windows HPC Server, you can accelerate time-
to-insight by using a cluster solution that is easy
to deploy, operate, and integrate with existing
infrastructure and tools.
CUSTOMER STORY
Abaqus Unifed FEA is used to analyze stress
and deformation in products such as gaskets
used to seal an axle housing. In this model from
Dana Holding Company, running Abaqus on
an Intel Xeon-based Windows HPC Server 2008
compute cluster enables a reduction in solution
time from 52 hours using a single multi-core
computer to 3.5 hours using 16 cluster nodes.
ABAQUS UNI FI ED FEA
The Abaqus Unifed FEA software suite
reduces dependency on physical testing and
supports multidisciplinary collaboration. The
suite consists of three core products: Abaqus/
Standard, Abaqus/Explicit and Abaqus/CAE.
Model from Dana Holding Company
Abaqus/Standard provides analysis
technology for implicit fnite element
analyses, such as static, dynamics, and
thermal, all powered with the widest
range of contact and nonlinear material
options.
Abaqus/Explicit provides Abaqus analysis
technology that focuses on transient
dynamics and quasi-static analyses which
are appropriate for drop testing, crushing,
and other manufacturing processes.
Abaqus/CAE provides a complete
modeling and visualization environment
for Abaqus analysis products. Through
its feature-based parametric modeling
capability, open access to computer aided
design (CAD) models, and advanced
meshing and visualization features,
Abaqus/CAE is the premier model
building results-visualization, and process
automation solution for Abaqus analyses.
WI NDOWS HPC
SERVER 2008
Windows HPC Server 2008 helps users
do more science and less IT. With its easy
integration from desktop applications
to remote clustering and cost-efective
scale out capabilities, it utilizes the
existing Windows infrastructure and
administrators skill set for managing an
HPC system. The benefts of Windows HPC
Server 2008 extend to the user as well. Job
creation and submission transpire within
the application, simplifying the workfow
process. The integration of Windows
HPC Server 2008 with Microsoft Active
Directory domain service eliminates the
need for multiple logins, and extends
valuable security policies to your HPC
jobs.
WI NDOWS HPC
ARCHI TECTURE
The Windows HPC Server 2008 head node:
Controls and mediates all access to
the cluster resources.
Is the single point of management,
deployment, and job scheduling for
the compute cluster.
Windows HPC Server 2008 uses the
existing corporate infrastructure and
Active Directory for:
Security features.
Account management.
Operations
management.
System requirements include:
CPU Requirement: 64-
bit architecture computer
Intel Pentium, or Xeon
family with Intel Extended
Memory 64 Technology
(EM64T) processor
architecture, or AMD
Opteron family, AMD Athlon
family, or compatible
processor(s).
Minimum RAM: 512 MB
Maximum RAM: 32 GB
Multiprocessor Support : Up to 4
processors
Disk Space for Setup: 4 GB
Disk Volumes:
THE COMBI NATI ON
The Abaqus and Windows HPC Server
2008 combination provides scientists and
engineers with an integrated, efcient,
and easily scalable HPC platform for
solving some of the most complex
simulation and multiphysics analysis
equations in less time than before.
The following table shows execution
times for an Abaqus/Standard job running
on a Intel Xeon-based Windows HPC
Server 2008 cluster. The results show
that 52 hours of day of execution can be
reduced to 3.5 hours using this cluster
computing setup.
BENEFI TS
Abaqus and Windows HPC Server
help you:
Improve efciency.
Increase performance.
Decrease operational complexity.
Integrate job scheduling and
workfow.
FURTHER I NFORMATI ON
For more information about Windows HPC Server 2008 and HPC, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/hpc
For more information about SIMULIA and Abaqus, please visit http://www.simulia.com
2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. This data sheet is for informational purposes only. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in
any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of Microsoft Corporation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WAR-
RANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. Microsoft, Windows, Active Directory and the Windows logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Other product and company names herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Microsoft Corporation One Microsoft Way Redmond, WA 98052-6399 USA
Number of cores
Windows HPC Network