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While many groups are working on larger and larger clusters, we have
developed an interesting alternative: the cluster in the small.
The Carry-On Cluster is a portable, eight-processor Pentium III-based
Linux cluster connected with a Fast Ethernet switch. It also includes an
802.11b base station for wireless access. The cluster is packaged in a
single roll-along carry-on case.
Why a carry-on cluster? There are times that we need to run demonstrations
and tutorials at remote sites. These arrangements might be difficult or
impossible because:
• The remote sites often do not have suitable hardware available,
for example at hotel meeting rooms.
•
If suitable hardware is available, it is difficult to ensure
that the systems have a reasonable software configuration, including
the correct versions of libraries, compilers, operating system,
architecture, interconnect network, and user interface. Differences in
any of these areas can kill a demo.
•
Running a demo remotely using machines from our home site is, at best,
awkward and often impossible. Unpredictable bandwidth on the Internet
can make the remote access painful and disrupt a demo, while firewalls
and gateways may make a demo impossible.
The carry-on cluster provides a complete, self-contained,
pre-configured parallel computer, requiring only a single power outlet.
Cluster specifications
Nodes: Cell Computing, Inc. (8)
Processor: Intel Pentium III (Coppermine)
500 MHz
RAM: 256 MB per node
Disk: 6 GB per node
Network: 100baseT connector
Other connectors (each node): keyboard,
XVGA, PC card, USB, serial
Interconnect: Netgear 16-port 10/100baseT
switch
Wireless: D-Link DWL-650 802.11B
wireless PC card configured as an Access Point
Operating System: Red Hat 6.2 (Linux kernel v2.4.10)
Case type: Zeroller model 107ZRX
Case size: 21" x 13" x 8.6"
For more information contact: paradyn@cs.wisc.edu
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