Linux Distros

As clustering in Linux becomes more and more common, certain distributions are being released that focus specifically on providing, among other things, clustering and high performance computing tools. On this page, we have two different sections, one on these distros that are specifically targetted at clustering, and just general Linux distributions.

• CLIC: CLIC is Mandrake's attempt to create a project with the objective of creating a Linux distribution for clustered machines, including meeting the needs for deploying, administering, and programming clusters for the purpose of intensive calculation.



• MSC.Linux: MSC.Linux is a cluster distribution, which can be used for installing, administering, and using high performance computing clusters, and it is 100% complaint with the latest Linux Standard Base tests.



• Red Hat Advanced Server: Red Hat Advanced Server is Red Hat's variation on their Linux distro aimed at enterprise and high performance computing needs. It includes, among other things, Red Hat Cluster Manager for high availability systems, and Red Hat Network Enterprise Service for management of multiple systems. Red Hat's support for 64 bit hardware is this distro.



• ROCK Linux MPP Project: The Massively Parallel Processing (MPP) project aims to provide a stable, heterogeneous parallel processing platform on top of a Rock Linux cluster. (Rock Linux is a distribution that is specifically aimed at allowing system administrators to easily roll their own version of the distribution.)



• Scyld Beowulf Cluster Operating System: Scyld is the "second generation" of the Beowulf Clustering software. It provides a single system image cluster using specially developed tools and libraries.

• ClusterKnoppix: ClusterKnoppix is basically Knoppix, a great bootable CD, with an openMosix kernel. It includes all of openMosix's basic functionality. Just boot the server off the CD, boot some networked clients, and you have an instant cluster.



• PlumpOS: PlumpOS is the successor to clump/os. It is a mini Linux distro aimed at being an easy way to add nodes to an openMosix cluster without much work (or thought).



• Quantian: Quantian is a Knoppix variant, specifically tailored to numerical and quantitative analysis. Starting with version 0.3, it is based on clusterKnoppix.