Fussy neural network at heart of Perpetua real time supercomputer

Balancing the processing load between the n'Boxen servers is the Limbix, the unique brain of the Perpetua. The Limbix uses neural networking and fuzzy logic to monitor the system hardware and operation to recursively control and maximize system performance. Multiple Limbix units ensure this vital component, like the other elements of the Perpetua, is fully redundant.

Each element of the Perpetua is connected by internal dual full-duplex fibre channel networks. The Perpetua's 200 MHz bus speed ensures there are absolutely no processing bottlenecks on the 1.065 Gigabits-per-second fibre channels. "The Perpetua replaces an entire server room with a single box that provides significantly higher performance, redundancy, and disaster resistance than any competing product," commented Jim Gatzka, Patmos CEO. "Furthermore, its built-in artificial intelligence, redundancy, and self-correcting operation enable systems administrators to devote their time to creative planning, not system monitoring."

Disaster Resistance in a Small Space

In addition to the full redundancy, whereby every data element and processing operation is available through three independent but fully coordinated sources, the Perpetua includes two separate Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) as well as a backup power generator. The cabinet is capable of withstanding an earthquake up to 7.5 on the Richter scale. The Perpetua includes a waterproof and fireproof streaming tape backup yet takes up only four square feet of floor space. "The Perpetua incorporates as much redundancy, disaster resistance, fault tolerance, and speed, as most modern combat aircraft -- without the equivalent cost analogy," commented Glenn G. Loveland, Ph.D., a professor at Warwick Tech.

Supercomputer Performance with x86 Universality

While each n'Boxen server unit can operate individually, the Limbix "brain " internally coordinates the n'Boxen, and can operate them as one supercomputer. When operating individually, the Perpetua load-balances the processing among the servers, sending web or processing requests to the least-busy node. Additional machines can be added, seamlessly increasing the performance of the Perpetua. The Perpetua can even use idle network workstations to further increase the processing power as needed.

Because the n'Boxen units are based on the nearly universal x86 platform, the Perpetua will run any x86 application and operating system, including Windows, Unix, and Linux. Further enhancing performance and maximizing reliability, each n'Boxen has separate hard disks for program storage and data, eliminating conflicts between the operating system and the data stream.

High Security and Easy Control

The Perpetua includes an optional Universal Access Gateway (UAG) for Internet Server applications or when Internet access is required. Maximizing security, the Perpetua includes the Deadbolt Software package in addition to traditional firewalls. The Deadbolt software package masks the IP addresses and controls access until a visitor's identity is established.