[Beowulf] Simple Cluster

[Jeff Layton]

   I can think of three solutions. The first one I can think of is
called clusterKnoppix (bofh.be/clusterknoppix/). It has
OpenMOSIX built-in so you can run compute farm types
of applications (and you get to learn about OpenMOSIX).
You can also run MPI and PVM apps on it.
   The second one I can think of is Warewulf
(warewulf-cluster.org). The primary 'mode' of it allows
you to boot the nodes over the network to a RAM disk
about 70 Megs in size. You could also boot of a CD or floppy
and then pull the install over the network.
   The third one is called Bootable Cluster CD
(www.cs.uni.edu/~gray/bccd/). It is somewhat like
clusterKnoppix but I'm not sure it uses OpenMOSIX.
   A fourth alternative might be Thin-Oscar
(thin-oscar.ccs.usherbrooke.ca/). I don't think it's ready
for prime-time, but you might take a look.

Good Luck!

Jeff

> Sure you can do it. It won't be a ball of fire speed wise, and probably
> wouldn't be a cost effective solution to doing any "real work", but it 
> will
> compute..
>
> Search the web for the "Pondermatic" which, as I recall, was a couple or
> three P1s.  And of course, very early clusters were made with 486's.
>
> Your big challenge is probably going to be (easily) getting an 
> appropriate
> distribution that fits within the disk and RAM limits.  Yes, before 
> all the
> flames start, I know it's possible to make a version that fits in 16K 
> on an
> 8088, and that would be bloatware compared to someone's special 6502 
> Linux
> implementation that runs on old Apple IIs, etc.etc.etc., but nobody would
> call that easy.  What Robert is probably looking for is a "stick the 
> CDROM
> in and go" kind of solution, and, just like in the Windows world, the
> current, readily available (as in download the ISO and go) solutions 
> tend to
> assume one has a vintage 2001 computer sitting around with a several 
> hundred
> MHz processor and 64MB of RAM, etc.
>
> Actually, I'd be very glad to hear that this is not the case..
>
> Maybe one of the old Scyld "cluster on a disk" might be a good way?
>
> Perhaps Rocks?  It sort of self installs.
>
> One could always just boot 4 copies of Knoppix, but I don't know that
> there's many "cluster management" tools in Knoppix.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <rmd003 at sympatico.ca>
> To: <beowulf at beowulf.org>
> Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2003 2:14 PM
> Subject: [Beowulf] Simple Cluster
>
>
> > Hello,
> >
> > Would anyone know if it is possible to make a cluster with four P1
> > computers? If it is possible are there any instructions on how to do
> > this or the software required etc...?
> >
> > Robert Van Amelsvoort
> > rmd003 at sympatico.ca
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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-- 
Dr. Jeff Layton
Aerodynamics and CFD
Lockheed-Martin Aeronautical Company - Marietta


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