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Re: [LUG] Beowulfed LTSP?

 

Grant Sewell wrote:

> Hi Rob,
> 
> As I understand it, an LTSP setup would normally consist of:
>  + One "server" machine that is relatively powerful.
>  + Multiple "fat/thin client" machines that are underspecced in today's
> world.
> 
> What I was thinking was how a cluster of lower-specced machines could be
> used in place of a single higher-specced "server".  Then I remembered about
> COWs idea - so essentially the clients could actually act as low-end
> computational nodes on behalf of the server.  Might be a daft idea, might
> not.
> 
> Grant.
> 

Yep, this is how the machines at the Exwick Community centre will work. 
  A high spec server (quad core Xeon with 4GB Ram) and low spec client 
machines.

Thing is, at the computing for profit meeting last year it was discussed 
about having a load of low spec AMD Geode boxes which are IIRC about 
500MHz CPU's (K6/3 sort of spec, or maybe low end Athlon) all running in 
a LTSP cluster.  Each machine would be diskless and boot from a central 
server (lower spec server) and they would all provide computing power 
along side working as LTSP clients.  At least I think thats what they 
were on about.

I'd certainly like to look into clustering of old boxes to give more 
performance.  Would be great for some of those high applications to have 
that little bit extra power if possible when need be.

Rob


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