[Beowulf] The Value Cluster

[Douglas Eadline, Cluster World Magazine]

On Fri, 17 Dec 2004, Jim Lux wrote:

> A year or so back, there was a discussion on the list about building a 
> cluster entirely of stuff bought from WalMart (based on the $199 computers 
> Walmart was selling back then).


The Walmart systems are what started this idea. I had purchased a $199 box
with a VIA C3, then some Duron boxes. The problem with the
"Walmart/Microtel" approach was that the consistency of the boxes was not
very good. Indeed, several times I got something better than advertised!
Motherboards would change, larger hard-drives, slightly faster processor,
etc. So it could be hard building a reproducible cluster. Plus the cases
they were using were vented on sides -- not good for close stacking. So we
decided it would be better to use parts that were available from several
sources so our efforts could be easily duplicated.

Doug


> 
> 
> At 12:02 PM 12/17/2004, Douglas Eadline, Cluster World Magazine wrote:
> 
> >FYI, starting in January Jeff Layton and I will be running a series
> >in ClusterWorld magazine on how to build a cluster for under $2500
> >(that is right two zeros).
> >
> >Obviously not a great interest to the hardcore readers of the list, but
> >maybe of some interest to the newbies. You can find out more (and
> >pictures) at:
> >
> >http://www.clusterworld.com/article.pl?sid=04/12/17/1954203
> >
> >Doug
> >----------------------------------------------------------------
> >Editor-in-chief                   ClusterWorld Magazine
> >Desk: 610.865.6061
> >Fax:  610.865.6618                www.clusterworld.com
> >
> >
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> 
> James Lux, P.E.
> Spacecraft Radio Frequency Subsystems Group
> Flight Communications Systems Section
> Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Mail Stop 161-213
> 4800 Oak Grove Drive
> Pasadena CA 91109
> tel: (818)354-2075
> fax: (818)393-6875
>