Cluster computer? is it this simple?

Question

Hey for cluster computers does the specification have to be similar also could it be done with just two computers and is it as easy as just having 2 nic’s on each machine and getting the right os namely Linux possible windows and clustering programmes maybe something like cluster 3 just wondering and one more thing what the main considerations in making cases because ideally I would like to have one case with two power supplies and two motherboards which I would make as well

Maybe another nic on one machine for internet

Answer 1

If you are attempting to run an application that would benefit from Distributed Computing see BOINC ...

If you are just interested for you own use, then check out Diskless Computing clusters ...

How you interconnect your 'compute nodes' depends on how often the distributed application needs to communicate between nodes (passing of partial results etc).

In the case of BOINC + SETI data packets of 250kb take hours to process and result in a few kb's of results .. so the nodes need only communicate once or twice a day at 'dial up' speed ..