Linux revs up Renault F1 testing

IBM e1350 Linux cluster cuts simulation time from three weeks to 18 hours

Linux has helped the Renault Formula 1 team to slash its engine and chassis computational analysis time by 90 per cent.

The team dramatically cut the time it spends performing computational analysis, and ultimately reduced development costs, by deploying an IBM e1350 cluster running Linux. The system is based on IBM eServer e325 and e326 servers with AMD Opteron processors.

In addition, Renault Formula 1 has deployed two IBM eServer pSeries 630s running AIX, and one TotalStorage DS 4300 storage server, to capture and store the computational data generated by the e1350 cluster.

Christophe Verdier, Renault F1 Team IT director, said: "The performance of this system has enabled Renault F1 to fully optimise its V10 engine capability. This has given the team a considerable advantage, since a race is as much won in the factory as it is on the track.

"With xSeries and Linux we have a high-performance, low-cost cluster that will help us to run ever more accurate simulations. With 12 IBM e325 servers working in parallel, a simulation operation which can take three weeks is now completed in 18 hours."