In a case of sharing competitive resources, IBM on Thursday said it is offering Microsoft's Windows Computer Cluster Server 2003 for it System Cluster 1350 server, a move expected to appeal to midmarket companies looking for a high-performance computing system.

While IBM has its own middleware, the advantage of the Microsoft software, according to IBM, is that it provides a familiar operating interface, thereby reducing training costs. In addition, IBM expanded the server, storage, and networking options for its System Cluster 1350.

High-performance cluster systems range from a few to thousands of severs woven together to act as one computer. IBM's latest offering targets the midmarket in life sciences, computer-aided engineering, and financial services.

Options available with the Microsoft Cluster Server-based system include IBM BladeCenter and System x servers, which feature multicore and dual-core process from Intel and Advanced Micro Devices. IBM is also offering as an option its System Storage and Ethernet and InfiniBand switches from Cisco Systems, SMC and Voltaire.

Pricing for the latest cluster system will depend upon the configuration, IBM said.

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