Overview

What is a Beowulf Cluster?

Origins

What a Beowulf Cluster Isn't; What a Cluster Can't Do

SSI Beowulf

Parallel Processing Basics

Levels of Parallelism: Embarrassingly Parallel

Levels of Parallelism: Coarse Grain

Levels of Parallelism: Fine Grain

Levels of Parallelism—Another Look Fine Grain

Levels of Parallelism—Another Look Coarse Grain

Levels of Parallelism—Another Look Embarrassingly Parallel

How can processors talk to each other?

Communication Latency & Bandwith

Scaling Issues: Small Problems need not apply

Scaling Issues: What Software will you use?

Scaling Issues: Does your Solution Scale?

How Can This Help Me?

Build or Buy?

Where will you put it?

Network versus Nodes

Beyond Beowulf

Al's Tips

Conclusions

Additional References