Re: [gentoo-cluster] openssi with gentoo?

[Jimmy Rosen]

I have built four clusters based on a diskless SSI design using openmosix 
and gentoo. It works very well, and most of the nodes are used in everyday 
desktop/workstation tasks as well, without problem even at very high 
loads. I can really recommend openmosix and diskless SSI.

Each cluster has one or several servers, that are cold spare masters, but 
functions as nodes or resource providers when the primary server is 
functional. All nodes boot disklessly from the master and uses the same 
root fs, not just duplicate copies. This simplifies management since you 
don't have to maintain workstations as well as a cluster, and guarantees 
that all machines are running exactly the same software at all times.

-- horribly blatant advertising begins (avert eyes if sensitive) --
I build and manage these kinds of clusters as a product family from my own 
company; CSOL research.
-- advertising ends here --

I can recommend this kind of setup, but I had to alter some of the init and 
service scripts to make everything work. So, go on and delve into the docs 
of openmosix, diskless booting (several ways, etherboot, pxelinux, etc) 
and of course the gentoo scripts and documentation. I can also recommend 
LTSP, beowulf style clustering, etc. Then I know there are several other 
projects for clustering availabe as well.
It's a bit of a chore, but somewhat fun and well worth it in the end if you 
have lots of machines to take care of.

Harebraman
Jimmy

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