Linux clusters vs. grids
When most people think of Linux clusters, they think they are used for load-balancing purposes only. Yet, that's not the only functionality that makes Linux clusters on par with mainframes or high-end, mid-range Unix servers for many jobs. In this tip, I'll examine Linux cluster options and similar server approaches, like grid computing.
First, let me define the basic cluster, which is a server farm that acts as a front-end and distributes data to backend servers. Some types of clusters are high-availability (HA) clusters and high-performance computing (HPC) clusters. HA clusters are deployed for the purpose of improving accessibility to the application, in the event of a hardware failure. They do this by incorporating redundant nodes that provide the capability. HPC clusters are used to increase performance by splitting tasks across many different nodes in a cluster. They are typically used in scientific computing.
Grids vs. clusters
So what makes grid clusters different from grid computing? The easiest way to set grid computing apart may be to say that a grid is composed of many clusters, unlike a typical cluster, which is one set of nodes in one location. Essentially, the grid connects these clusters since they do not actually fully trust one another. They operate more like a network of systems, rather than one server, and work best in environments that actually do not have to share data during the computation of processes. Clusters manage the allocation of these jobs and systems.
- Login or register to post comments
- Printer-friendly version
- 1765 reads
- PDF version
More in Tux Machines
- Highlights
- Front Page
- Latest Headlines
- Archive
- Recent comments
- All-Time Popular Stories
- Hot Topics
- New Members
digiKam 7.7.0 is releasedAfter three months of active maintenance and another bug triage, the digiKam team is proud to present version 7.7.0 of its open source digital photo manager. See below the list of most important features coming with this release. |
Dilution and Misuse of the "Linux" Brand
|
Samsung, Red Hat to Work on Linux Drivers for Future TechThe metaverse is expected to uproot system design as we know it, and Samsung is one of many hardware vendors re-imagining data center infrastructure in preparation for a parallel 3D world. Samsung is working on new memory technologies that provide faster bandwidth inside hardware for data to travel between CPUs, storage and other computing resources. The company also announced it was partnering with Red Hat to ensure these technologies have Linux compatibility. |
today's howtos
|
Recent comments
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago