Linux HPC Cluster Installation.pdf

This redbook will guide system architects and systems engineers through a basic understanding of cluster technology, terms, and Linux High-Performance Computing (HPC) clusters. We discuss some of the design guidelines used when architecting a solution and on how to install and configure a working Linux HPC cluster.

This redbook documents the building of a Linux HPC cluster on IBM eserver xSeries hardware. Using this approach, and building a type of Beowulf cluster, we can achieve dramatic performance at a fraction of the price of previous solutions.

This redbook will also teach you the concepts and principals needed to build your own HPC cluster. The installation process is streamlined and simplified by the extensive use of scripts. Management tools are provided to easily manage a large number of compute nodes that remotely use the built-in features of Linux and the advanced management capabilities of the IBM eserver xSeries Service Processor Network.

Authors: Luis Ferreira (also known as “Luix”) is a Software Engineer at IBM Corp - International Technical Support Organization, Austin Center working in Linux and AIX projects, Gregory Kettmann (also known as “Greg”) is an IT Architect working for IBM Global Services, ITS, as a Subject Matter Expert in Linux Clusters, Jens Ihamo is IT Specialist at the IBM Techline in Greenock, Scotland, Andreas Thomasch is a Linux specialist and consultant at the EMEA Linux Center of Competence in Boeblingen, Germany, Steve Hill is a High Performance Computing specialist working in Hursley, England, Walter Bernocchi is an IT Specialist at the xSeries Pre-Sale Technical Support team in Italy, Jean Claude Daunois is a System Engineer in France, Eileen Silcocks is an IBM Technical Trainer in Greenock, Scotland, Jacob Chen is an IT Specialist of IBM Taiwan, Makoto Harada is an IT Engineer at PS Server, ATS IBM Japan.

Table of Contents:

• Preface
• Chapter 1. Introduction
• Chapter 2. General cluster architecture
• Chapter 3. Components overview
• Chapter 4. Solution guide
• Chapter 5. Hardware preparation
• Chapter 6. Management node installation
• Chapter 7. Compute node installation
• Chapter 8. Installation of additional components

Download free eBook: Linux HPC Cluster Installation.pdf (254 pages, 6.6 MB)

Download Free ebook!

Download Linux Tutorials from LinuxBasics.org

LinuxBasics.org bills itself as "The online community that helps people to get Linux installed and running." If you are completely new to Linux, you might want to take a look at the LBox, a way to try out linux in a virtual environment, without danger for your running system. This site also offers tutorials and links to sites that offer information needed to install and use Linux. They also run a friendly mailing-list and an IRC-channel for questions you will have when you start using Linux. Their tour through LBo will show you the key-features of the site.

One of the neat educational activities on LinuxBasic.org is their free Linux course called An Introduction to Linux Basics for people who want to learn how to install and administer the basics of a Linux computer system. This class started on October 19, 2006, but you can still register and participate. Even advanced Linux users can join the class, as they will be able to dig deeper into some areas they always wanted to know more about. The course uses LBook: An Introductory Guide to Linux Basics as the couse book and study guide, which I have detailed in an earlier blog post today.

Here are the Linux Tutorials from Linuxbasics.org, categorized into the following topical areas:

• Pre-Install - What you should know before installing Linux


• Installation - What you might encounter while you install Linux
• Booting
• Linux Distros


• Using Linux - Basic Tasks and stuff
• Tuning harddrives
• Finding files
• Copy and Paste
• Filesystems for data-exchange
• Making a swapfile
• Configuring the boot-process
• Automating tasks with cron
• Installing Applications
• Thunderbird Tips
• Wireless on Desktop
• Command Line - Bash
• Quick Command List
• Hard and soft/symlinks & inodes
• Laptop Power Management and Battery
• Rescue Disk


• Advanced Skills - More basics on advanced stuff and weird things like networking.
• LBo-Server for Small Businesses
• Various
• Networking
• Virtual Computing
• A list of the most dangerous commands


• Security
• Social engineering
• Secure passwords
• Firewall
• Scrubbing Harddrives