ParallelKnoppix für High Performance Computing (=HPC) Rechnerverbund (=Cluster)

[kikakater]

ParallelKnoppix

ParallelKnoppix (PK) is a fast and easy way to create a high performance computing (HPC) cluster. It is designed to be easy to use, but it is also suitable for serious work. In fact, you may get more serious work done with PK than you would using alternatives, simply because you'll have more time free to use your cluster, rather than install/administrate it.

PK is Anmerkung: a live CD distibution of GNU Linux that allows setting up a cluster of machines for parallel processing using MPI. The openMPI, LAM-MPI and MPICH implementations are installed and ready to use. You can convert a room full of machines running Windows into a Linux cluster, and when you shut down, your Windows machines are in their original state. Getting the cluster up and running takes about 5 minutes, if the machines have PXE network cards. Clusters from 2 to 200 machines are supported. A cluster created with PK is temporary - if you want to use it another time you must recreate it (another 5 minutes work). It's also single-user. For a multi-user, permanent cluster, you should look at other solutions, including ROCKS. PK can server as a gentle, smooth learning curve way to get into HPC clustering.

PK used to be based on the Knoppix distribution, and PK never would have been possible without Knoppix as a starting point. It still uses parts of Knoppix, but it's now more accurately described as live CD that uses Debian unstable as the base.