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I'd like to first point out that the name "Beowulf cluster" is pretty silly in general; allow me to enumerate the incredibly complicated setup procedure for a B

by jff 13y ago

I'd like to first point out that the name "Beowulf cluster" is pretty silly in general; allow me to enumerate the incredibly complicated setup procedure for a Beowulf cluster: 1) Install Linux on a bunch of networked computers, 2) "apt-get install mpi" on every one. That's it. Here’s something made at a national lab about 3 years ago: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3538/5702439502_b6448467b8_o.jpg http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3538/5702439502_b6448467b8_o.j... I wonder if it inspired this project at all? The case, the fans, very similar looks. The box has 7 Gumstix “Stagecoach” motherboards, each loaded with 7 Gumstix Overo boards for a total of 49 ARM processors in the box. There is an Ethernet switch mounted in the bottom and a power supply at the back. They made 4 of these and stacked them up for a total of 196 CPUs. You can check out some action shots in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPyn9krjIRc&feature=youtu.be&t=50s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPyn9krjIRc&feature=youtu...

WestCoastJustin 13y ago
Very cool! Do you have any details on how to build one of these? A parts list for example.
- jff 13y ago
  Well, the plexiglass case was custom-made by a shop with a laser cutter. As for the hardware: * 7 of these: https://www.gumstix.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=247 https://www.gumstix.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2... * Each of the Stagecoach boards needs 7 Gumstix boards. Anything in the Overo line should work. * The switch is just an 8-port Netgear. Remove the board from the switch case in order to save space and make for easier mounting. * The power supply is the toughest part. Each Stagecoach board needs a 5V 3.5A power input. I believe they went with a ham radio power supply of some kind. It was fully modular. The stagecoach boards simply stand in little slots cut into the plexi case, so you just unplug the power + ethernet to pull out the board. Once you've done that, it's easy to swap out the individual Gumstix nodes. The switch is just held on under the boards by a couple case screws.
bascule 13y ago
Confirm, I don't think I've heard anyone even use the term "Beowulf cluster" since the late '90s/early '00s
- jff 13y ago
  Same here, aside from Slashdot and breathless Hackaday posts where someone has shoved 8 beagleboards into a suitcase.

by jff 13y ago

WestCoastJustin 13y ago

Very cool! Do you have any details on how to build one of these? A parts list for example.

jff 13y ago
Well, the plexiglass case was custom-made by a shop with a laser cutter. As for the hardware: * 7 of these: https://www.gumstix.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=247 https://www.gumstix.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2... * Each of the Stagecoach boards needs 7 Gumstix boards. Anything in the Overo line should work. * The switch is just an 8-port Netgear. Remove the board from the switch case in order to save space and make for easier mounting. * The power supply is the toughest part. Each Stagecoach board needs a 5V 3.5A power input. I believe they went with a ham radio power supply of some kind. It was fully modular. The stagecoach boards simply stand in little slots cut into the plexi case, so you just unplug the power + ethernet to pull out the board. Once you've done that, it's easy to swap out the individual Gumstix nodes. The switch is just held on under the boards by a couple case screws.

bascule 13y ago

Confirm, I don't think I've heard anyone even use the term "Beowulf cluster" since the late '90s/early '00s

jff 13y ago
Same here, aside from Slashdot and breathless Hackaday posts where someone has shoved 8 beagleboards into a suitcase.