NVIDIA SLI Multi-OS Empowers World’s First Virtualized Graphics Workstation

[btarunr]

NVIDIA, the inventor of the GPU, today introduced NVIDIA SLI Multi-OS, a ground-breaking technology that allows users and visualization applications, for the first time, to take full advantage of multiple NVIDIA Quadro GPUs from a single graphics workstation in a virtualized environment.

This new technology delivers a faster, more efficient workflow to maximize productivity and lower the total cost of ownership for professionals in markets such as: digital content creation, sciences, manufacturing, and oil and gas.

“In today’s economy, organizations are turning to virtualization to increase productivity and maximize cost savings,” says Jeff Brown, general manager of professional solutions at NVIDIA. “Now professionals working with visualization applications can benefit from virtualization.”



Built into the new Quadro FX 3800, Quadro FX 4800, and Quadro FX 5800, SLI Multi-OS allows users to tap into the advanced visualization and compute capabilities of the Quadro GPUs to experience full graphics performance within a virtualized system. SLI Multi-OS works in association with Parallels Workstation Extreme virtualization software and Intel’s VT-d technology, assigning both the host and guest virtual machine its own dedicated GPU. Available in the new HP Z800 workstation, the combination of these innovative technologies delivers application performance nearly identical to systems configured with a dedicated operating system and GPU.

“Working with NVIDIA to bring a new graphics virtualization usage model to life has required a deep commitment by both companies,” said Serguei Beloussov, CEO of Parallels, a leader in virtualization and automation software “By combining the existing Parallels FastLane architecture with NVIDIA’s new SLI Multi-OS capability, even the most demanding professionals can now experience the advanced features and performance benefits of NVIDIA’s Quadro GPUs in a virtualized environment. This is a first for the industry and the business benefits will drive greater engineering innovation and productivity.”

“SLI Multi-OS is the first technology to provide users working with multiple graphics-intense applications optimal visual quality and GPU performance from a single workstation within a flexible and virtualized environment,” says Jim Zafarana, vice president and general manager, HP Workstations. “By offering this technology in our new HP Z800 workstations, we are giving our visualization customers the productivity and cost benefits of a virtualized workflow.”

The SLI Multi-OS capability is available now on the new NVIDIA Quadro FX 3800, Quadro FX 4800, and Quadro FX 5800 graphics solutions and supports selected combinations of Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Linux operating systems. Current certified workstations include the new HP Z800. For more information on SLI Multi-OS, please visit: http://www.nvidia.com/object/sli_multi_os.html.

For more information on NVIDIA Quadro solutions, please visit: http://www.nvidia.com/quadro.

Source: NVIDIA

[btarunr]

NVIDIA, the inventor of the GPU

No discussions on that, please.

[W1zzard]

so does this mean of the two installed accelerators i can use the resources of the second in any number of virtual machines at the same time ?

[[I.R.A]_FBi]

Originally Posted by btarunr

No discussions on that, please.

aww bta you think of everything

[btarunr]

Originally Posted by W1zzard

so does this mean of the two installed accelerators i can use the resources of the second in any number of virtual machines at the same time ?

Yes, we can.

Through SLI Multi-OS technology, a user can directly assign a dedicated Quadro graphics board to both the host operating system and a range of optionally loaded guest operating systems.

[WhiteLotus]

sweet idea. but still a little confused, surely this would also need some kind of CPU based program?

[newtekie1]

So basically, it is like CPU virtualization, but for GPUs. Great idea, and something I have been hoping for for years.

[D4S4]

he he, the ultimate lanbox - 2 quads, 8-16GB of memory and 2 GTX 295s...

enough horsepower for 4 gamers

[vagxtr]

Originally Posted by D4S4

he he, the ultimate lanbox - 2 quads, 8-16GB of memory and 2 GTX 295s...

enough horsepower for 4 gamers

nice try but most of the games still use only up to two cpu cores and virtualization gaming environment doesn't seem on the track in the near future

[D4S4]

i know, i know... i just like to dream about stuff like that... anyways, i'd still like such lanbox for myself

[D4S4]

Originally Posted by vagxtr

virtualization gaming environment doesn't seem on the track in the near future

or does it...?
http://www.techpowerup.com/89179/New..._Upgrades.html

[Hayder_Master]

this is nice , multi GPU run multi system that's cool for designers

[Mussels]

I wonder if this is whats powering the 3D rendering of that "OnLive" system that was announced a few days ago.

[DanTheBanjoman]

Originally Posted by W1zzard

so does this mean of the two installed accelerators i can use the resources of the second in any number of virtual machines at the same time ?

Probably, it's Parallels though. So you'd first have to get an OS-X host.

Can you still mod Geforce cards to Quadros via software with the current generation? And if so, can this be done under OS-X?

[D4S4]

Originally Posted by Mussels

I wonder if this is whats powering the 3D rendering of that "OnLive" system that was announced a few days ago.

Me started asking myself the same question... but professional market as testground...?

let's start a conspiracy theory...

[BOSE]

You can get a system from HP that does this now. Price starts at $2k and goes all the way to $14k.