Examples of Cluster Computers

Examples of Cluster Computers

ALICE is the Ames Lab - ISU Computing Environment, a cluster of 64 dual-processor Pentium Pros running at 200 MHz. All PCs are connected through a central Fast Ethernet switch, providing a flat network topology. In addition, there is a master node, a file server, and 4 development nodes.

The PBS schedular controls all jobs. We use the Portland Group compilers, which produce code that is up to 50% faster than g77. The main memory bus really is not fast enough to support the second processor, so little performance is gained from using it.

IBM Cluster

The IBM cluster currently consists of 22 dual-processor IBM RS/6000 43P-260 workstations and 2 quad-processor 44P-270 workstations for a total of 52 processors.

22 IBM RS/6000 43P model 260 with:

2 Power3 processors running at 200MHz (PPC 64 bit compliant)

4 MB of Level 2 cache per processor

2 striped 9GB disks for local use (leading to ~16GB for scratch)

Integrated Fast-Ethernet

Gigabit Ethernet on a 64 bit PCI card

In addition:

n1 has an additional Fast-Ethernet card which is the link to the rest of the world.
n0, which is the fileserver, has a 4GB tape drive for system backups and a 9GB disk drive for user data.

2 IBM 44P-270 workstations are configured as follows:

4 Power3+ processors running at 375MHz (PPC 64 bit compliant)
4 MB of Level 2 cache per processor
4 GB of RAM
4 striped 18GB disks for local use (leading to ~72GB for scratch)
Integrated Fast-Ethernet
dual Gigabit Ethernet on a 64 bit PCI cards

The 24 workstations are connected by a Fast Ethernet switch for accessing the fileserver, while communications during a run are over Gigabit Ethernet connected to an Extreme Networks BlackDiamond 6808 Gigabit Ethernet switch. The switch is currently configured with 32 ports, upgradable to 64 ports. This provides a flat network for cluster communications fully supporting Jumbo Frames.

The G4 cluster is made of 16 single processor G4 computers each with 512 MB RAM and 16 dual processor G4s with 1 GB RAM. Each G4 is running Black Lab Linux and is connected via Fast Ethernet for management and Myrinet for communications.

Links to more advanced topics

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