Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Suite SP3 Trial Available

Microsoft has made available for download the evaluation release of Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Suite with Service Pack 3.

Offered through the Microsoft Download Center, Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Suite SP3 is designed to let customers test the latest upgrade to the Redmond company’s platform for the high performance computing market.

According to the software giant, the trial allows testers to use Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 SP3 for no less than 180 days, during which, the operating system will be fully-functional.

Of course, as is the case for additional trial releases from Microsoft, the evaluation version of Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 SP3 is free to download and try, but will expire after 180 days of use.

“Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Suite provides enterprise-class tools, performance, & scalability for a highly productive HPC environment,” Microsoft notes.

“The Suite provides a complete & integrated cluster environment including the OS, HPC Job Scheduler, Message Passing Interface v2 (MPI2) and Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) interactive application support, cluster management & monitoring, the ability to distribute Excel calculations, and the ability to harness idle Windows 7 workstations.”

Customers already familiar with Microsoft’s offerings for the HPC market are undoubtedly already familiar with the two components of the Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Suite.

The evaluation edition allows them to test Windows Server 2008 R2 HPC Edition operating system which integrates Widows Server 2008 R2 SP1, as well as the HPC Pack 2008 R2 Enterprise application, which has been upgraded to SP3.

The HPC Pack 2008 R2 with SP3 DVD image and the Windows Server 2008 R2 HPC Edition with SP1 DVD image are both required for the Suite to be evaluated.

Testers will also need a product key in order to install and use Windows Server 2008 R2 HPC Edition, and Microsoft recommends that they leverage this one: Q7PRR-M2WBM-RJJ99-FG393-MGY3B.

Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 Suite Service Pack 3 (SP3) Trial is available for download here.