Chapter 3. Cluster Hardware
It is
tempting to let the hardware dictate the architecture of your
cluster. However, unless you are just playing around, you should let
the potential uses of the cluster dictate its architecture. This in
turn will determine, in large part, the hardware you use. At least,
that is how it works in ideal, parallel universes.
In practice, there are often reasons why a less ideal approach might
be necessary. Ultimately, most of them boil down to budgetary
constraints. First-time clusters are often created from recycled
equipment. After all, being able to use existing equipment is often
the initial rationale for creating a cluster. Perhaps your cluster
will need to serve more than one purpose. Maybe you are just
exploring the possibilities. In some cases, such as learning about
clusters, selecting the hardware first won't matter
too much.
If you are building a cluster using existing, cast-off computers and
have a very limited budget, then your hardware selection has already
been made for you. But even if this is the case, you will still need
to make a number of decisions on how to use your hardware. On the
other hand, if you are fortunate enough to have a realistic budget to
buy new equipment or just some money to augment existing equipment,
you should begin by carefully considering your goals. The aim of this
chapter is to guide you through the basic hardware decisions and to
remind you of issues you might overlook. For more detailed
information on PC hardware, you might consult PC Hardware
in a Nutshell (O'Reilly).
|