Thread: Clusters and scalability

  1. #1
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    Unhappy Clusters and scalability

    Hey,

    I read this on a site a few minutes ago, and I'm not quite sure what it means:

    "In September 2001 Hewlett-Packard clustered 225 PCs running the Open Source Linux operating system. The resulting system (called I-cluster) benchmarked itself right into the global top-500 of supercomputers, using nothing but unmodified, out-of-the-box hardware. (A significant number of entries in that top-500, by the way, runs Linux, and more and more Unix clusters are being used for supercomputing applications.) "

    I'm not sure what clustering is. Could anyone give me a simple explanation of what they mean by clusters? I know a good deal about networking (mainly network programming), but I've never learnt about clustering (or scalability for that matter). So could someone give me a quick explanation of what clustering and scalable servers means? I would be most obliged, thanks

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    Sounds like all the computers are combined into one big computer.

    You know, like Voltron.

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    lol, yeah, but how exactly does that work? Do they share their CPU's, with all the 225 computers and just one operating system, or do all the computers have their own OS and the jobs are just shared?

    I wonder if I could turn 4 of my old 486's out in the shed into a cluster... could I get better performance from them do you think?

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    I dunno. With Voltron, it seemed like all the robots had their own operating systems (in this case, a pilot), but when they combined, they went to a central operator. My memory's fuzzy, since I'm no longer 6 years old, though. I can't remember if just one guy piloted or if they all did. Anyways, I know the Power Rangers all sat in the cockpit. I don't know who piloted that thing, though.

    hth

  5. #5
    pronounced 'fib' FillYourBrain's Avatar
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    I think they portrayed it as if they were all still piloting their parts. Granted, it is just a cartoon and they weren't giving a lot of attention to little details like that. Voltron was awesome. It needs a live action movie! ILM should do the effects.

    edit: I heard they are doing a live action movie with Transformers. Anyone hear anything about that?

    edit: edit: http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir...item_id=421174
    Last edited by FillYourBrain; 08-20-2003 at 08:33 AM.
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    Back to the original question...

    Clustering is when you put a lot (or a few if you want) of computers in LAN and they share the tasks, using all of the processors. I think they need to have an OS designed for this, but I'm not sure.
    Scalability is about the total processor power you get from all of them together. Linear Scalability is, for example, when you put two 2Ghz computers together and the total speed is 4Ghz. However, this is more of an idea, than an achievable goal since they need to comunicate, share memory and other stuff that consumes cycles.
    A good scalable computer is a computer that wastes few cycles communicating. A bad scalable computer is one that wastes a lot of cycles.
    Hope this is clear enough for you.
    SoKrA-BTS "Judge not the program I made, but the one I've yet to code"
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    Mayor of Awesometown Govtcheez's Avatar
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    With that out of the way, does anyone have a definitive answer on my Voltron and Power Ranger questions?

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    pronounced 'fib' FillYourBrain's Avatar
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    with power rangers, isn't it some sort of magic ring thing? If not, they're all controlling it from the same "bridge". I would assume the controls are there.
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    WTF? I think you're confused. In power rangers, when they make Megazord, they're all on the bridge, but they never really control it, from the looks - they just kind thrust their fists and look dramatic. I don't know what this magic ring deal's all about - maybe you're thinking of Captain Planet?

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    pronounced 'fib' FillYourBrain's Avatar
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    no, it's a magic sword or something isn't it?

    what do they use to summon the "ships"? isn't there some kind of ridiculous magic thing?
    "You are stupid! You are stupid! Oh, and don't forget, you are STUPID!" - Dexter

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    I thought they just kinda said like "Anuszord!" and it showed up.

    Damn, I wish I was a little kid again

  12. #12
    pronounced 'fib' FillYourBrain's Avatar
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    I grew up with voltron and tranformers. This new fangled power rangers isn't for us old guys!

    edit: wait, wait, wait!! I specifically remember some sort of knife that was played like a flute. That's power rangers isn't it? that's how they summoned the vehicles.
    Last edited by FillYourBrain; 08-20-2003 at 09:13 AM.
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    edit: ^^^^^
    I thought that was just the green ranger. I'm so confused!

    No kidding. I'll call my brother and ask - he's about the right age for that. He's at cross country practice right now, but I should be able to get a hold of him in a couple hours.

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    Didn't they use remote controls in the latter episodes/films?
    Or they just went to that control room with the robot and that face suspended in the air and shouted something like "Lets metamorph!" (tranlated from spanish, and my memory's not that good either) and suddently they dressed up and the "vehicles" appeared.

    >>I specifically remember some sort of knife that
    >>was played like a flute. That's power rangers isn't it?
    >>that's how they summoned the vehicles.
    Doesn't Zelda do that? I'm very confused now
    SoKrA-BTS "Judge not the program I made, but the one I've yet to code"
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    Mayor of Awesometown Govtcheez's Avatar
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    Originally posted by -=SoKrA=-
    Didn't they use remote controls in the latter episodes/films?
    Or they just went to that control room with the robot and that face suspended in the air and shouted something like "Lets metamorph!" (tranlated from spanish, and my memory's not that good either) and suddently they dressed up and the "vehicles" appeared.
    I'm not talking about the later series, though. I never watched those, but you may be right. Anyways, I'm about to leave for lunch - I'll call my brother and ask him.

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