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Weemploy atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to predict thealignment and anchoring strength of a typical nematic liquid crystal,4-n-pentyl-4?-cyano biphenyl (5CB), on differentforms of silica. In particular, we study a thin (?20 nm) filmof 5CB supported on surfaces of crystalline (cristobalite) and amorphoussilica of different roughness. We find that the orientational orderat the surface and the anchoring strength depend on the morphologyof the silica surface and its roughness. Cristobalite yields a uniformplanar orientation and increases the order at the surface with respectto the bulk whereas amorphous glass has a disordering effect. Despitethe low order at the amorphous surfaces, a planar orientation is establishedwith a persistence length into the film higher than the one obtainedfor cristobalite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]