Shrek 2 uses more 'grunt'

By RICHARD PAMATATAU

Animated movie Shrek 2 has given computer-maker HP a chance to show off the new "virtualisation" technology that runs on its servers.

As film-making continues to embrace fantasy, the power of computer chips and software is having a big influence on TV and film products.

Directed by New Zealand animation whiz Andrew Adamson, Shrek is a film about a sensitive hulking green hero, a fat princess and a disaffected talking donkey who go on a quest. Shrek 2, also directed by Adamson, sees the princess and the hero as a newly wed couple facing many challenges.

Nick van der Zweep, California-based director of utility computing for HP, said the movie could not have been made without HP's powerful virtualisation machines.

These are computers which allow for processing power to be shared among applications on an "as needed basis" so customers can buy less computer hardware but get more bang for their buck.

Virtualisation is being touted by IBM, which recently released its new I series of computers - rebadged AS/400s - the work horses of many computing environments.

Sam McCluskey, IBM I series product manager for the region, said virtualisation saved money because customers had to buy less hardware. "It's about a shift from information silos to sharing loads across a network and using storage technology more efficiently."

Van der Zweep said as pressure on corporate IT budgets increased more IT managers were keen to spend less on processors.

Shrek was made using spare IT resources that HP had in its utility resource centre and was part of a multibillion-dollar outsourcing project. For Shrek 2, HP provided Utility Rendering Service as well as Virtual Studio Conferencing which was like a virtual collaboration centre for producers, directors, and animators working in different locations.

The technology behind Shrek 2 saw more than 300 computers combined to give the project the grunt required.

The result is more realistic green skin, global illumination for more realistic lighting, better looking hair, and more complex clothing and wardrobes than in the original.

Virtualisation technology is also being aimed at the health, marketing and finance sectors.

Van der Zweep said, for example, if a company knew it would be busy around Christmas there was no point in buying a computer just for that.

"The CIO can segment the machine to manage that and then do other things later."

IBM's machines are now powered by its Power5 microprocessors, the most powerful 64-bit chips built by the company.