We’re pleased to announce the availability of LINQ to HPC Beta 2.

LINQ to HPC enables a new class of data intensive applications for Windows HPC Server by providing a sophisticated distributed runtime and associated programming model for large scale, unstructured data analysis that is easy to use and program. For deeper insights, it integrates with SQL Server 2008, SQL Azure, and the rich portfolio of Business Intelligence offerings from Microsoft such as SQL Server Reporting Services, SQL Server Analysis Services, PowerPivot, and Excel. IT Professionals and developers now have a unified HPC platform that can run both compute and data intensive HPC applications.

Key features of LINQ to HPC include:

  • LINQ to HPC enables a new class of data intensive applications by providing a sophisticated distributed runtime and associated programming model for analyzing large volumes of unstructured data using commodity clusters.  LINQ to HPC is offered as an integral feature of Windows HPC Server, providing a unified scale-out platform that can run both compute and data intensive HPC applications.

  • LINQ to HPC is based on LINQ, a powerful, language integrated query model, offering a higher level of abstraction that makes it easy to develop distributed, scale-out data intensive applications. It integrates with Visual Studio 2010 and the .NET framework for a superior development experience and increased developer productivity.

  • For deeper insights, LINQ to HPC can integrate with SQL Server 2008, SQL Azure and the rich portfolio of Business Intelligence offerings from Microsoft such as SQL Server Reporting Services, SQL Server Analysis Services, PowerPivot, and Excel.

  • Through Windows HPC Server 2008 R2, LINQ to HPC offers a familiar, easy to use and easy to manage environment that lets you take advantage of your existing IT infrastructure, thereby reducing the learning curve and increasing return on investment.

For more information about LINQ to HPC see Introducing LINQ to HPC and the documentation accompanying the Beta 2 download.

The Beta 2 installer, along with documentation and samples, can be downloaded from https://connect.microsoft.com/hpc. LINQ to HPC Beta 2 requires HPC Pack 2008 R2 SP2.