[Beowulf] $2500 cluster. What it's good for?

[Charlie Peck]

On Dec 19, 2004, at 2:49 PM, Dean Johnson wrote:
>
> On Dec 18, 2004, at 9:52 AM, Jim Lux wrote:
>
>> I think it would be interesting to contemplate potential uses of a 
>> $2500
>> cluster.  Once you've had the thrill of putting it together and 
>> rendering
>> something with POVray, what next?
>
> While not terribly elegant, scientifically interesting, or 
> cluster-sexy, you could do distcc. "Look ma, I'm compiling over my 
> cluster". High school kids might like to do cluster BLAST type stuff. 
> There is certain value in getting the dog-looking-at-the-tv look from 
> their parents when they explain their activities. "Well Son, I got no 
> damn idea what you are talking about, but your Mom and I are very 
> proud".
>
> Maybe someone should put together something akin to the OpenCD for 
> cluster usage by novices. Put together a bunch of the standard 
> cluster-aware apps in nice buildable or RPM type packages.

Check-out the Bootable Cluster CD, http://bccd.cs.uni.edu/

charlie peck