Simplicitas

NOTE:  This page will no longer be maintained at this site. For the newest updates and information about The eBayowulf Cluster, visit this page at it’s new home [CliftonSnyder.net]. Thanks!
Introduction

I’ve posted before about how I’d like to have my own cluster at home, and now I’m going to (attempt to) actually build one. In order to be able to actually afford to do it, I’ve decided that I’ll look for and purchase most of the boxen/parts/etc. on eBay, craigslist, et al. (Hence the name: The eBayowulf Cluster). This page will be dedicated to the various resources and components that I use, and perhaps some photos of the machine during its construction. God willing, I’ll also eventually be able to post some benchmarks and performance pointers, as well.

Note that I will not be building some crazy high-end jillion-node Top500 machine here, as my budget is a little more modest than all that. I’m looking to build an 8- or 12-node cluster out of older used components (read: PIIs and PIIIs in the 350 to 900 MHz range), and will most likely use a simple, affordable 8-way 10/100[/1000] switch to strap them all together. I’d also eventually like to build a rack for it (as opposed to having a stack of gray plastic sitting in my basement), but that will have to wait indefinitely until I have time. That said, let’s get started!

Articles

• Mysql Cluster: Two webserver setup
• Gnu Queue: Linux Clustering Made Easy
• Kill-A-Watt electrical usage meter

[Key: Looking Bidded Received Eighty-Sixed]

Components

• Boxen (8-12)
• hp Vectra ve 6 PII-400 3.1gb 64mb 10/100 NIC desktop
• hp Vectra ve 6 PII-400 3.1gb 64mb 10/100 NIC desktop
• hp Vectra ve 6 PII-400 3.1gb 64mb 10/100 NIC desktop
• hp Vectra ve 6 PII-400 3.1gb 32mb 10/100 NIC desktop
• hp Vectra ve 6 PII-400 3.1gb 32mb 10/100 NIC desktop
• hp Vectra ve PII-400 4.1gb 160mb 40x SND NIC desktop
• hp Vectra vl PIII-450 6.5gb 256mb SND NIC desktop
• hp Vectra vl PIII-450 10gb 128mb SND NIC desktop

• Switch (1)
• 12 PORT 3 COM SUPERSTACK II SWITCH 3000
• SuperStack II 3300 3C16980 24 port 10/100 managed switch
• Netgear FS510T switch, 2 ports 100/1000, 8 ports 10/100
• BrandNew Linksys 100 / 1000 Mbp Switch EG008W 8 ports
• NETGEAR JFS516 16-Port 10/100 Ethernet Network Switch
• 3COM 8PORT 10/100MBPS OFFICECONNECT SWITCH
• 3M 3C16980 24 Port Superstack II Switch
• 3 COM, SuperStack II. SWITCH 1100, MODEL 3C16951 3COM
• Dell Powerconnect 2016 16 Port 10/100 Switch
• 8 Port 10/100 Mini Fast Ethernet Switch (Yes, I know, it’s not eBay…but I couldn’t find a decently priced switch – arguably the most important part of a cluster – that wasn’t being sold “AS-IS”.)

• Memory (Extra)
• 128Meg DIMM PC66 lot of four 512Meg total
• (2)- 128mb PC66 memory 168 pin SDRAM RAM 256mb
• Lot of 10 Used Dell 256MB PC100 ECC Reg SDRAM DIMMs
• (2)- 128mb PC66 memory 168 pin SDRAM ECC RAM 256mb
• 10 x 128MB PC 66 SDRAM/DIMMs
• PC100 128MB Crucial CL2 RAM PC Memory Lot (10 sticks)
  
• 384MB TOTAL [THREE(3) x 128MB] PC100 DESKTOP MEMORY
• (4) 128MB PC100 SDRAM MEMORY MODULES (512MB TOTAL)

• Misc.
• IOGEAR MiniView 4 Ports KVM Switch GCS84A 4 Sets Cables

Tools

• RJ45 CAT5 CRIMPER/CUTTER TOOL + 100 PLUGS
• Data Shark All-In-One Crimper (Also not from eBay.)