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R Server for HDInsight

Predictive analytics, machine learning and statistical modelling for big data

What is R Server for HDInsight?

By combining enterprise-scale R analytics software with the power of Apache Hadoop and Apache Spark, Microsoft R Server for HDInsight gives you the scale and performance you need. Multi-threaded maths libraries and transparent parallelisation in R Server handle up to 1000x more data and up to 50x faster speeds than open-source R, which helps you to train more accurate models for better predictions. R Server works with the open-source R language, so all your R scripts run without changes.

R Server for HDInsight
  • Large portable R parallel analytics and machine learning library
  • Terabyte-scale machine learning – 1,000 times larger than in open-source R
  • Deliver up to 50 times faster performance using R Server for Apache Spark 2.0 and optimised vector/maths libraries
  • Enterprise-grade security and support backed by a Microsoft SLA
  • Access Spark data sources through Spark SQL
  • Easy setup for fast results

Working with the power and familiarity of R

A top choice among data scientists, the R programming language has a global community of more than two million users worldwide, and the total number of open-source analytics packages is growing every year. R Server for HDInsight gives you full compatibility with the R language running at scale on Hadoop and Spark.

R usage is on the rise. From 2007 to 2013, the number of data miners that report using R increased from 20% to 70%. From 2008 to 2013, the number of data miners that use R as their primary tool increased from less than 5% to 24%.
The number of CRAN packages released has increased significantly in the last few years. In 2005, there were very few. The number increased to 1,000 by 2012, to 3,000 by 2014 and to over 8,000 by 2016.

Large portable R parallel analytics and machine learning library

Take advantage of a large parallel analytics and machine learning library, built to work with the open-source R language, that’s portable across popular data platforms, including decision trees and ensembles, regression models, clustering, data preparation, visualisation and statistical functions.

Terabyte-scale machine learning handles 1,000 times more data

With transparent parallelisation on top of Hadoop and Spark, R Server for HDInsight lets you handle terabytes of data – 1,000 times more than the open-source R language alone. Train logistic regression models, trees and ensembles on any amount of data. You're only limited by the size of your Spark cluster.

Get up to 50 times faster performance

Combine Spark, multi-threaded vector and matrix maths libraries and R Server for HDInsight to experience up to 50 times faster performance than previously possible with open-source R.

Run distributed parameter sweeps and simulations with existing R functions

Run any open-source R function over hundreds of nodes for parallel parameter sweeps and simulations. Explore and refine your models for faster, easier and more accurate predictions.

Access Spark data sources through Spark SQL

Analyse data in Hadoop and Spark, using Apache Spark SQL as a data source for R Server. Load the results of a Spark SQL query against sources such as Apache Hive and Apache Parquet to a Spark Data Frame, and analyse it directly using any R Server distributed computing algorithms.

Choose your development tools

R Server on HDInsight includes R Studio Server Community Edition, which makes it easy for you to get started. Download R Tools for Visual Studio for free to get a convenient local development environment.

Enterprise-grade security and support

Rely on enterprise-grade security and support from Azure, which includes version packages, patching, security updates and continuous cluster monitoring. A Microsoft Service-level Agreement (SLA) with 99.9% connectivity helps to protect your R Server for HDInsight clusters against catastrophic events.

Easy setup, fast results

There’s no time-consuming installation or setup with R Server for HDInsight. Azure does it for you. You’ll be up and running in minutes, ready to train your statistical and machine learning models, without buying new hardware or paying other up-front costs. You only pay for the compute and storage that you use.

Apache Hadoop® and associated open-source project names are trademarks of The Apache Software Foundation.

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Everything you need to get started

Get instant access and a $200 credit by signing up for a free Azure account.

Learn how to use R Server for HDInsight with 5-minute quickstart tutorials and documentation.

Enhance R Server for HDInsight with additional features and products, such as security and backup services.

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