Creating a Mac Mini Cluster

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Level 1

109 points

Creating a Mac Mini Cluster

My nephew (13) wants to create a "cluster" using Mac Minis (he can buy a bunch of older Minis from his school). Can anyone point us to a good "How To" article on how to do this?

Also, a simple explanation (for me) on what this is? He's explained, but I'm too dense to get the point. Thanks.

Posted on Mar 4, 2009 10:07 AM

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Answer 1

Montana Author

Level 1

109 points

Mar 5, 2009 10:30 AM in response to Montana

Found info on XGrid and OS X Server which seems to explain the process. I still don't get the point, but it's not my project.

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Answer 2

Mar 6, 2009 2:31 AM in response to Montana

Hi Montana-

A lot depends on what the nephew intends to do with the cluster. Yes, there is Mac OSX Server and XGrid but that can be a rather expensive way to go about doing things.

Basically a cluster is a bunch of computers all working on part of a calculation(s) that is assigned by a master, and the data is combined at the end.

Luck-

-DP

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Answer 3

Montana Author

Level 1

109 points

Mar 6, 2009 4:12 AM in response to DaddyPaycheck

Is there a less expensive way to create a cluster?

Thanks for the simple answer. He's working on a science project.

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Answer 4

Mar 6, 2009 7:24 AM in response to Montana

This is a link to an excellent resource about clustering: Designing a Cluster Computer

There should be navigation arrows at the upper right of the page to allow you to go forward and backwards through the resource.

Some of the information is way technical, but most of it is in layman's terms and there are nice charts and graphs and diagrams that help explain this somewhat complex concern.

Luck-

-DP

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Answer 5

Montana Author

Level 1

109 points

Mar 6, 2009 8:12 AM in response to DaddyPaycheck

Thank you.

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Answer 6

Mar 6, 2009 9:04 AM in response to Montana

You are welcome.

I hope the nephew can pull this off. I think very highly of such Men and Women of science.

-DP

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