[hblug] Recap of cluster attempt and new year event

[Michael Adams]

On Sat, 16 Dec 2006 23:55:12 +1300
Rene Bartosh wrote:

> Seems as nothing was posted after this months meeting I will attempt
> to update those that were unable to attend.
> 
> As per the table at http://hblug.org.nz/files/cluster.xhtml we had 22
> PC's with roughly 33.98GHz of CPU power (we counted dualcore CPUs as
> the speed of the cores combined) with 12.58GB of RAM and 2263GB of
> disk space - that is well over 2 terabytes.

I would expect a divisor on these figures. Free ram after hookup is what
should be counted.


> However we didn't manage to get the cluster software off the ground
> although we managed to get the majority of the nodes functioning, it
> was just the master/controlling node we had issues with.

Issues we had.
1. Underpowered Masters (X 2)
2. Smart switches/routers taking over DHCP requests before master could
3. Unplugged cables
4. Having to reboot all boxes after each problem was debugged
5. Collisions on the low tech hub may have caused final fail
   - after which we gave up.


> Which leads us on to the next attempt, which after some discussion was
> proposed to be the annual "event", be it a BBQ, a LAN or a cluster or
> any of the above.
> 
> We need to decide on a 1) a date 2) a venue and 3) what we do.
> 
> How about halfway though January: Saturday the 13th. As for a venue
> Fine Furniture is always an option and I recall Perry offering his
> place which is somewhere between Hastings and Napier IIRC.

I could talk to the boss about availability of Mosaic again. The 16 way
switch is pretty useful... plus the 6 aditional boxes. We also proved
the power supply was up to supporting that many boxes.

I also suggest one of the more powerful boxes have two NIC's in case we
want internet access and be used as master, mainly as the master does
double duty as a node.

> As for what we do, I suggest we make it a family affair and bring
> along a BBQ and some food (I can supply a BBQ) and with any luck we
> can sort out tables/power/network so we can bring PCs and possible
> attempt the cluster again.
> 

We could adjourn after for lunch and debrief (of puzzled looks)
anywhere.

-- 
Michael
 Those that can, do; those that can't, teach.