The Paradyn "Carry-On Cluster"



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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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