This guide explains how to configure an HPC cluster using just the Sun HPC Software, Linux Edition downloadable from Sun.com.
Other things you will need include:
- Internet access (to read this, and to download packages)
- A machine running RedHat / CentOS / Fedora - this is used to download the installation packages and bundle them up into an ISO image.
- Some computers; at least one for the head-node, and one or more to act as compute nodes. Your compute nodes need to support PXE boot via a network interface. If you're just practicing at building a cluster, you can use virtual compute nodes using software like Sun VirtualBox, Xen or VMware ESXi.
- An Ethernet network switch; seems obvious, but your computers need to be connected together.
- Optionally, a high-performance interconnect, some storage space, a cup of tea and some sticky-back plastic (as all Blue Peter watchers from my generation will know).
By the end of this how-to, you'll (hopefully) have an HPC cluster up and running with an MPI, scheduler and everything you'll need to run basic jobs. To simplify things a bit, I've split the guide into sections; complete each section in turn to build your cluster.
1. Download the Sun HPC Software, Linux Edition. Follow these instructions to get the packages built into an ISO you can use to install your nodes.
2. Install your head node machine using the ISO you've just built.
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