[Beowulf] switch selection

[Jon Forrest]

Gerry Creager wrote:
> I recall a couple of recent arguments, so I'm wondering if someone could 
> summarize the discussion on gigabit switches for HPC/clusters.
> 
> 1.  If memory serves, NetGear wasn't a great choice?
> 2.  HP Procurve got some good reviews.
> 
> I've been asked for an opinion by some folks building a small, dedicated 
> cluster.  I'd told them of my misgivings on NetGear, and now I've gotta 
> give a recommendation.

I've been using NetGear with OK results, although I have to admit
that we're not super critical about switches.

My primary suggest would be to not pay too much attention to
the subjective reviews you'll see here, including mine. Instead,
I'd suggest finding and understanding a switch benchmark program
that gives a more objective evaluation.

Cordially,
-- 
Jon Forrest
Research Computing Support
College of Chemistry
173 Tan Hall
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
94720-1460
510-643-1032
jlforrest at berkeley.edu