Cluster Systems - An Open-Access Design Solution
Kevin Ginty, John Tindle, Sonia Tindle · Sunderland Repository (University of Sunderland) · 2009
An open-access cluster computing facility, believed to be the first of its type, has been established at the University of Sunderland. This paper describes its computing and networking architecture in terms of hardware and Operating Systems platforms, taking into account the need for low energy consumption and low heat dissipation. The system described operates in an open environment, without the need for air conditioning. A dual boot configuration allows performance comparisons to be made between different Operating System platforms on identical hardware. As a result of its general purpose design, the cluster is able to support a wide range of applications across a number of disciplines, most notably engineering and media.