IN THE NEWS: Nor-Tech evolves from parts sales to sophisticated computing systems

The brand-new digital sign in front of Mystic Lake Casino is controlled by a high-performance computing system designed and built by Burnsville firm Nor-Tech. A Nor-Tech supercomputer helped Boeing analyze 170 distinct noise readings from an aircraft under development. The company, which started as a high-volume computer components dealer but now makes most of its profits from high-performance clusters and supercomputers, has even done business with DARPA, the Defense Department’s high-tech development arm.

NOR-TECH NOTES: Nor-Tech is partnered with Terrafugia to help bring flying car to reality

Terrafugia has advanced civilian flight with the revolutionary integration of personal land and air travel made possible by the Transition® Roadable Aircraft. The Transition® combines the unique convenience of being able to fold its wings with the ability to drive on any surface road in a modern personal airplane platform.

NOR-TECH SOLUTIONS: Cluster Rental

Dramatically expand your resources, not your overhead. Nor-Tech has an in-house cluster available on a provisional basis.. 16-core headnode and 20 compute nodes with a total of 160 cores. Check out the complete specs.

NOR-TECH NOTES: Lumerical and Nor-Tech develop integrated solutions for optical design research

Nor-tech is excited to announce a partnership with optical simulation products provider Lumerical Solutions, Inc. The partnership draws upon the expertise of both organizations to design, test and produce a spectrum of high-performance hardware platforms geared toward optical simulation and designed to meet budgetary requirements at multiple levels.

VIDEO: Boeing's 787 Dreamliner the quietest jumbo yet?

Check out this video of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner jet being put to the noise test. According to early reports from Boeing, the airliner is as much as 60 per cent quieter than today’s comparable planes.

NOR-TECH NOTES: Cluster for LIGO researchers at SU boasts 88,000 GPU cores

Nor-Tech's GPU Cluster will provide vital technologies for analyzing data gathered to study gravitational waves from distant objects throughout the universe.

NOR-TECH NOTES: Nor-Tech named Platinum level Intel Technology Partner

Nor-Tech has achieved the status of Intel Technology Partner Platinum 2011. Platinum Partner status is reserved for Intel's most valued technology partners who demonstrate superior business and technical skills as well as leadership in the development of innovative customer solutions based on Intel technologies.

CASE STUDY: Nor-Tech helps SAFL solve the never-ending storage problem

Nor-Tech provided SAFL with a Voystor storage server consisting of 3 head nodes, 4 JBOD nodes and a development node, totaling more than 500TB of storage. The Voystor 4500ds features drives in both the front and rear of chassis and can be connected to similar JBODs.

NEWS RELEASE: Nor-Tech named Authorized Supermicro Systems Integrator

Nor-Tech has achieved the status of Authorized Supermicro Systems Integrator Server-solution provider. Supermicro established the systems integrator program to ensure the highest level of professional service and technical support.

NOR-TECH NOTES: Nor-Tech is now an authorized reseller of nVidia Quadro Plex systems

Quadro Plex D Series is a dedicated deskside visual computing system (VCS) that delivers a massive leap in graphics computing power and density, enabling breakthrough levels of productivity and capability.

CASE STUDY: LIGO researchers navigate waves of data using Nor-Tech Clusters

Nor-Tech has developed a large, four-tower cluster to aid LIGO scientists in their research.

NOR-TECH NOTES: CFD Cluster used in stimulus-funded wind energy project

A major midwestern university is using Nor-Tech's cluster to help tackle the opposite problem… how to generate wind energy without an abundance of wind.

NOR-TECH NOTES: Nor-Tech breaks through with ultra-high-resolution Personal Geowall 2

Recognized in the industry as high-end innovators, Nor-Tech continues to blaze new trails with the development of the Personal Geowall 2, which combines a tiled Visualization Wall with 3D Stereoscopic Vision, all driven by a Nor-Tech cluster.

CASE STUDY: Nor-Tech provides computational advantage for MIT

Nor-Tech created an HPC cluster to be used for bioinformatics research by the Molecular Engineering Laboratory at MIT.

NOR-TECH NOTES: Nor-Tech earns InfiniBand Specialist Certification

Nor-Tech's development team has added QLogic IB Specialist Certification to their list of qualifications.

NEWS RELEASE: Nor-Tech's partnership with Elliptical Mobile Solutions takes the Portable Cluster to a new level

Elliptical Mobile Solutions has invested years developing, testing, and patenting their equipment. Their goal is to provide businesses with the most advanced IT solutions on the market while improving energy, capital, and operational efficiencies.

NOR-TECH NOTES: Nor-Tech's Dom Daninger joins the Microsoft Windows HPC Server PAB

Nor-Tech Vice President of Engineering, Dom Daninger has been honored with a spot on the prestigious Microsoft Windows HPC Server Partner Advisory Board (PAB).

NOR-TECH NOTES: Nor-Tech's Dom Daninger on Marble Valley

Dom Daninger, VP of Engineering at Nor-Tech has lots of good things to say about the new Intel Marble Valley motherboard. He had one on display at the Supercomputing showing in Portland, Oregon, right next to their very unique portable cluster.

NEWS RELEASE: Nor-Tech to exhibit Oil & Gas Services Ruggedized Portable Cluster featuring Intel Server System SR1680MV at SC09

Nor-Tech will be showcasing an exciting new addition to their award-winning Portable Cluster line, a Ruggedized Portable Cluster specially designed for the processing of seismic data for gas and oil exploration.

CASE STUDY: Nor-Tech cluster aids renewable energy researchers using CFD to study wake turbulence at wind farms

In order to meet the university’s computing requirements, Nor-Tech developed a 64-compute node cluster, with 512 compute cores, specifically tailored to computational fluid dynamics (CFD) services.

NOR-TECH NOTES: The diversification of HPC

In an interview with RAM TV, Dom Daninger,VP of Engineering for Nor-Tech discusses how Nor-Tech is developing specialized clusters to serve niche markets.

NOR-TECH NOTES: 6U Workgroup Cluster now available

Nor-Tech is now offering a 6U version of the Workgroup Cluster. Nor-Tech's 6U Workgroup Cluster is optimized for office, small/medium business (SMB), research and academic institutions or professional studio environments (movie animation, music production, etc.). The 6U,7U,9U,15U space supports any combination of standard rack mount servers or equipment in a compact form factor offering ease of maintenance and flexibility for different IT applications.

NEWS RELEASE: Nor-Tech is now an Authorized Apple Reseller

Nor-Tech has entered an agreement with Apple Inc. to sell their reputable Apple products.

IN THE WORKS: Nor-Tech building cluster to help improve efficiency at wind farms

Researchers at a major university developing computational models for optimizing underwater turbines will be using a Nor-Tech cluster for a Dept. of Energy funded project to help generate clean energy for New York City.

NOR-TECH NOTES: Nor-Tech's Todd Swank discussing Intel Core i7 on RAM TV

In an interview with RAM TV, Todd Swank, Vice President of Marketing for Nor-Tech, talks about the burgeoning demand for specialized technologies, such as small form factor systems, Blu-ray capable machines and the Intel Core i7 processor.

NEWS RELEASE: Workgroup Cluster powered by Six-Core AMD Opteron™ processors now available from Nor-Tech

Nor-Tech is pleased to announce Workgroup Clusters are now available with Six-Core AMD Opteron™ processor-based servers. Workgroup Clusters featuring Six-Core AMD Opteron processor-based servers provide the performance efficiency to handle real world workloads, with superior value and energy efficiency.

IN THE WORKS: Nor-Tech clusters offer a lift to the world's first flying car

Nor-Tech provides Workgroup Cluster for Terrafugia who is advancing civilian flight with the revolutionary integration of personal land and air travel made possible by the Transition® Roadable Aircraft.

IN THE WORKS: Nor-Tech clusters contribute to a seismic shift in geological imaging

Nor-Tech is currently developing clusters to run specialized seismic imaging software for use by the Oil and Gas Industry in the exploration and extraction of economic hydrocarbons.

NEWS RELEASE: Nor-Tech releases Intel® Xeon® Processor 5500 Series-based HPC Cluster products

Nor-Tech announced today it has released a full line of HPC Cluster products based on Intel® Xeon® processor 5500 Series and latest edition to the Xeon family. Nor-Tech has designed and offers several HPC Cluster Storage and Compute Node products which take advantage of the latest technical features of the new Intel® Xeon® Processor 5500 Series processor. 

CASE STUDY: Bioinformatics Cluster is a powerful weapon
in the fight against neurological disorders

Nor-Tech developed a Rocks/Linux-based system with integrated InfiniBand and installed the necessary applications, including the NAMD simulation package for researchers studying brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

NOR-TECH NOTES: Nor-Tech nominated for Server Innovation Award at Intel Solutions Summit

Nor-Tech is one of four finalists for the Sever Innovation Award at this year's Intel Solutions Summit (ISS) in Las Vegas, NV. The solution Nor-Tech is being recognized for is a Rocks/Linux Data Center Cluster that was developed for researchers at the University of Minnesota studying neurological disorders and how they can be more quickly and accurately diagnosed.

NOR-TECH NOTES: New Bioinformatics Cluster features NAMD, Infiniband

The latest cluster to come out of Nor-Tech's lab is a Rocks/Linux-based system designed for use in medical research relating to diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and diabetes II. The cluster features the NAMD simulation package as well as InfiniBand.

NOR-TECH NOTES: CRN reports: Nor-Tech Gains Powerful Advantage With Microsoft's HPC Server 2008

Microsoft Corp's High Performance Computing (HPC) Server 2008, which was recently released, means a bright future for custom system builders like Nor-Tech in Burnsville, Minn. HPC Server 2008 puts Microsoft Corp. into the heart of a market that has up until now been dominated by Linux. And it breaks open the market for system builders such as Nor-Tech, a high-performance computing leader, aiming to capitalize on the high-performance computing opportunity.

NEWS RELEASE: Nor-Tech exhibits wide range of Portable Clusters at SC08

Nor-Tech is introducing two new models of the award-winning Portable Cluster at the Supercomputing '08 Conference (SC08) in Austin, Texas. Recognizing the need for high-performance computing (HPC) in the modern workplace Nor-Tech has developed a new line of Office Clusters.

NOR-TECH NOTES: Attention MPC (Micron Computer) customers

Allow us to introduce ourselves...

CASE STUDY: Nor-Tech cluster helps speed up neurological diagnoses

Nor-Tech develops a Rocks / Linux data center cluster to aid in research to better understand brain disorders such as Alzheimer's, schizophrenia and multiple sclerosis.

NOR-TECH NOTES: Nor-Tech exhibits new Portable Clusters at SPE ATCE '08

Nor-Tech is introducing two new models of the award-winning Portable Cluster at the SPE ATCE '08 in Denver, CO. An AMD Opteron-based model is the first Portable Cluster to take advantage of low-power Quad-Core AMD Opteron™ HE processor models which provide the increased performance-per-watt critical to HPC applications. Nor-Tech also has its own booth where they will be demonstrating how the Portable Cluster can operate as a fully sealed transit case unit, thanks to Nor-Tech's partnership with SprayCool and their revolutionary liquid cooling technology.

NOR-TECH NOTES: Fully-Sealed Portable Clusters with JOA Jewel Suite creates opportunities for Oil & Gas

Nor-Tech is now demonstrating JOA Jewel Suite on one of our Portable Clusters. The JOA Jewel Suite creates integrated models and reservoir simulations of complicated geological formations. This provides an enormous advantage to oil and gas firms who, as demand and per-barrel-price for petroleum raise, are exploring oil fields that have been previously dismissed or considered un-economic due to their geologic complexities.

NOR-TECH NOTES: RoHS Compliant PCs

Nor-Tech is pleased to offer RoHS compliant components in our system builds. Click here for information and documentation supporting the RoHS compliance of components we use. Voyageur PC is committed to environmentally friendly technology solutions, as evidenced by our involvement in RoHS compliance as well as the 80 PLUS program and ENERGY STAR.

NEWS RELEASE: Nor-Tech offers ENERGY STAR 4.0 qualified PCs

Nor-Tech is pleased to offer Energy Star 4.0 qualified computers, the latest specification from the international standard for energy efficient consumer products. Products that earn the ENERGY STAR use less energy and prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.

NOR-TECH NOTES: Nor-Tech named Intel Authorized Integrator

Now you have a new local alternative for custom fully configured systems based on Intel® technology: Work with Nor-Tech, an Intel Authorized Integrator for sourcing complete, customized, fully configured systems. Nor-Tech is considered a Premier-level system builder in the Intel Channel Partner Program, selected for our ability to serve as a total solution architect on behalf of computer resellers.

CASE STUDY: Nor-Tech cluster goes nuclear with Windows CCS 2003

When nuclear fuel has been irradiated to the point where it is no longer useful in sustaining a nuclear reaction it needs to be disposed of... preferably in ways that don’t inspire ridiculous sci-fi monster movies. Holtec International’s Spent Fuel Systems division provides robust and reliable solutions to manage this detritus for use by commercial nuclear power plants.

NOR-TECH NOTES: The Portable Cluster makes house calls?

Our demo Portable Cluster has been getting around a lot lately, visiting destinations all over the country and racking up awards and honors along the way. But it was quick jaunt across town that truly demonstrated portability of the mobile supercomputer.

NOR-TECH NOTES: 20 System Computer Lab up and running at Lakeview School

A computer lab consisting of twenty Voyageur PCs has been set up and installed at Lakeview Elementary School in Cottonwood, MN.

PRESS RELEASE: OPEN-E Data Storage Server Solution Empowers Nor-Tech's Robust Voyageur™ Storage Server

Open-E, Inc., a leading developer of innovative storage management software, announced today that its premiere Data Storage Server (DSS™) IP-Storage operating system now powers Nor-Tech's Voyageur™ Storage Server (VoyStor™).

CASE STUDY: Nor-Tech’s Portable Cluster helps render urban 3D modeling a reality

Nor-Tech develops a compact, ruggedized Portable Cluster for use in a DARPA-funded project for the military that uses GPS, LADAR, and holographic technology to provide soldiers far greater resources for planning their patrols in complex urban terrains.

PRESS RELEASE: Nor-Tech Portable Cluster named 'Best in Show' at Intel Solutions Summit

Nor-Tech's Portable Cluster was awarded Best in Show: Most Innovative Server at this year's Intel Solutions Summit (ISS) in Las Vegas, NV. The Portable Cluster is a rugged, shock-resistant, mobile supercomputer that can run on standard power. Nor-Tech developed the Portable Cluster to address the need for advanced computing in extreme or unconventional environments, for industries such as Oil & Gas and Military. Each year, the North American Channel Marketing team uses the Intel Solutions Summit as a vehicle for recognizing outstanding performance and achievement from the prior year.

PRESS RELEASE: Portable Cluster Used for Microsoft Training at Missile Range

Microsoft utilized a Nor-Tech Portable Cluster at a recent High Performance Computing training at White Sands Missile Range New Mexico.

White Sands is the birth place of the US Missile program and first launch site. WSMR is 20 miles east of Las Cruces, NM. At almost 3,200 square miles the range is the largest military installation in the country.

PRESS RELEASE: Nor-Tech showcases the Portable Cluster at SC07

Nor-Tech is proud to showcase their revolutionary Portable Cluster at the Supercomputing '07 Conference (SC07) in Reno, NV this week. In addition to the Nor-Tech HPC Clusters booth, different models of the Portable Cluster can be seen in the Microsoft booth and in the Utah State University booth.

Nor-Tech's Vice President of Engineering, Dom Daninger and HPC Cluster Specialist, Tom Morton will be giving their presentation Portable Clusters: A Disruptive Technology on Thursday, November 15th at 10:30 AM in room A7 of the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. A web-based version of that presentation will be available at portableclusters.com soon.

PRESS RELEASE: Nor-Tech adopts Ciprico's RAIDcore, creating unbeatable server and HPC products

Ciprico RAIDCore 5000 supports Nor-tech’s next generation custom CentOS Linux based systems

Minneapolis, MN, September 17, 2007 – Ciprico Inc. (NASDAQ: CPCI), a leading provider of intelligent storage software, solutions and appliances, has been selected to provide their RAIDCore™ 5000 Series software-based RAID controllers for Northern Computer Technologies Inc. (Nor-Tech), the second largest custom system builder in the United States. The RAIDCore controllers are currently being integrated into Nor-Tech server designs and high-performance computing (HPC) clusters.

SC07 is the premier international conference on high performance computing, networking, storage and analysis. Since 1988, the Supercomputing Conference has showcased the latest state-of-the-field developments in technology, applications, vendor products, research results, national policy and national/ international initiatives. SC07 is the one place attendees can see tomorrow’s technology being used to solve world-class challenge problems today.

NOR-TECH NOTES: Nor-Tech ranked as a Top System Builder in U.S.

It is estimated that over 700 of Microsoft’s most strategic partners will be attending the 2007 MS CPS. Nor-Tech has been selected from thousands of OEM’s in the United States and Canada to showcase dynamic PC solutions.

Nor-Tech will be demonstrating their innovative new Portable Cluster, a ruggedized and extremely mobile high-performance supercomputer. The go-anywhere HPC cluster lives up to its name, not only because of its easy portability, but also its operational efficiency. Able to run up to 128 processor cores on just two 120VAC 20-amp circuits without generating excess heat, the Portable Cluster can be used in places and environments where this high level of computing was never practical, or even possible.