6 replies to this topic

[moycon]

Looks like Sony removing the "Other OS" from their product has the Air Force miffed!! LOL
They bought 2000 PS3 to build a processing cluster!

http://videogames.ya...r-force/1398911

When Sony removed the Playstation 3's ability to run alternate operating systems in a March system update, fans called it a step backwards.

But one big Sony customer -- purchaser of nearly 2,000 of the consoles earlier this year -- was particularly displeased.

Who's the big-time gamer? None other than the United States Air Force. And before you start to seethe about your tax dollars going towards gaming machines, the Air Force wasn't using them for gaming, but for their processor power.

Turns out the same speedy processors that make the PS3 such a formidable gaming rig also make it perfect for assembling into huge clusters of machines tasked with solving certain intensive computing tasks. Best of all, they can do it at impressive cost and electricity savings over more conventional supercomputers.

A 'core function' of the USAF is Cyberspace Superiority.

But in order to do that, the Air Force needs access to that alternate-OS function -- and any new or replacement machines it receives won't have it.

Speaking to Ars Technica, an Air Force rep said: "We will have to continue to use the systems we already have in hand, but this will make it difficult to replace systems that break or fail."

"The refurbished PS3s also have the problem that when they come back from Sony, they...will not allow Other OS, which seems wrong," the lab told Ars. "We are aware of class-action lawsuits against Sony for taking away this option on systems that use to have it."

Sony removed the little-used feature after a hacker claimed to have used it to bypass the console's security protection. It's thought that the Air Force isn't the only research institution facing problems in its absence, either: at least one researcher in North Carolina has also built a cluster, and it's likely to be similarly affected

[littleman jack]

What is the OS that they were using? Linux? Solaris? DOS? Unix?

Just curious.

[HammR25]

So even if I refuse to update to the new firmware if my console breaks then I'm forced to use a console with the new firmware. Nice.

[Austin]

littleman jack, on Thu May 13, 2010 8:35 PM, said:

What is the OS that they were using ... DOS?

That would be awesome!

[Mord]

moycon, on Thu May 13, 2010 8:04 PM, said:

Looks like Sony removing the "Other OS" from their product has the Air Force miffed!! LOL
They bought 2000 PS3 to build a processing cluster!

http://videogames.ya...r-force/1398911

"The refurbished PS3s also have the problem that when they come back from Sony, they...will not allow Other OS, which seems wrong," the lab told Ars. "We are aware of class-action lawsuits against Sony for taking away this option on systems that use to have it."

lol indeed.

[Chris Leach]

I read the article earlier this year regarding the Air Force purchasing said units....

If I was the US Airforce, I might have some words with Sony, but then Again who cares....I would have billions of US Treasury dollars to spend!

[DaytonaUSA]

Austin, on Fri May 14, 2010 9:09 PM, said:

littleman jack, on Thu May 13, 2010 8:35 PM, said:

What is the OS that they were using ... DOS?

That would be expected!

Corrected your post...