Cluster

First of all I must say I am very happy to see that a project like this has started.
I wonder about the possibility to add support for building clusters like OpenMosix or Beowulf in the future releases.

Hi Martin,

your suggestion about a cluster - oriented version of CAELinux is a great idea, as it would help a lot the installation of such computation farms. A good starting point for this type of application could be to base our work on special \"Cluster\" Linux distribution or liveDVD, like, for example, ClusterKnoppix or Quantian.

But for the moment, the complexity of the remastering process of Knoppix based distribution is a strong drawback, but I know that simple remastering systems are under development yet.

So now CAELinux is oriented mainly to standalone workstations, but it is also possible to use the computation server feature of Code_Aster/ASTK to remotely solve FE problems.

If the community is interested in Code_Aster-based clusters, we may try to build a dedicated LiveDVD in the future (even on customer's demand if somebody is interested).

Thank you for your interest.

Why not just add an openmosix-pathed kernel together with the openmosix-tools to the existing DVD?

Yes, this could be an option. But I really have to learn more about the kernel-patching / compilation stuff before I go for it...

But I am still pretty sure that a cluster-oriented CAE distro should be based on a more stable distribution like Debian for example, because PcLinuxOS is very good for desktop environment, but packages / updates are not always available & the kernel sources/config are always changing. In fact in a cluster environment, the management of the cluster is something very important, so packages updates and overall long-term sustainability is essential. That's why I tend to think that a ClusterKnoppix-based liveDVD (so a Debian-based system) would be better for a cluster environment. But if there is a clear demand for it, we could undertake this task.

Hi all,

we have started prototyping a LiveCD-based cluster distribution dedicated to Code-Aster FE solver...
we are now testing the Clusterix distribution (Morphix based distribution, based on Knoppix & Debian) as well as ClusterKnoppix distro.
So \"stay tuned\" for more news!!

Looking forward to this!
\"That's why I tend to think that a
ClusterKnoppix-based liveDVD (so a Debian-based system) would be better for a cluster environment.\"
I agree. Debian-based system are technically superior. If you do succeed to build the packages I hope the debs will be available on an apt repository as well