NHSE ReviewTM 1996 Volume First Issue

Cluster Management Software

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Authors

Mark A. Baker, Geoffrey C. Fox and Hon W. Yau

Mark A. Baker
(mab@npac.syr.edu)

Geoffrey C. Fox
(gcf@npac.syr.edu)

Hon W. Yau
(hwyau@npac.syr.edu)

Northeast Parallel Architectures Center
111 College Place
Syracuse University
New York 13244-4100 USA

16 November 1995
Version 1.3

Preface

In the past decade there has been a dramatic shift from mainframe or `host-centric' computing to a distributed `client-server' approach. In the next few years this trend is likely to continue with further shifts towards `network-centric' computing becoming apparent. All these trends were set in motion by the invention of the mass-reproducible microprocessor by Ted Hoff of Intel some twenty-odd years ago.

The present generation of RISC microprocessors are now more than a match for mainframes in terms of cost and performance. The long-foreseen day when collections of RISC microprocessors assembled together as a parallel computer could out perform the vector supercomputers has finally arrived.

Such high-performance parallel computers incorporate proprietary interconnection networks allowing low-latency, high bandwidth inter-processor communications. However, for certain types of applications such interconnect optimisation is unnecessary and conventional LAN technology is sufficient. This has led to the realisation that clusters of high-performance workstations can be realistically used for a variety of applications either to replace mainframes, vector supercomputers and parallel computers or to better manage already installed collections of workstations. Whilst it is clear that `cluster computers' have limitations, many institutions and companies are exploring this option.

Software to manage such clusters is at an early stage of development and this report reviews the current state-of-the-art. Cluster computing is a rapidly maturing technology that seems certain to play an important part in the `network-centric' computing future.

Tony Hey
The University of Southampton

Cluster Management: Commercial Packages

Ref No. Package Name Vendor
1. Codine GENIAS GmbH, Germany
2. Connect:Queue Sterling Corp., USA
3. CS1/JP1 Hitachi Inc, USA
4. Load Balancer Unison Software, USA
5. LoadLeveler IBM Corp., USA
6. LSF Platform Computing, Canada
7. NQE - Network Queuing Envn. Craysoft Corp., USA
8. Task Broker Hewlett-Packard Corp.


Cluster Management: Research Packages

Ref No. Package Name Institution
1. Batch UCSF, USA
2. CCS Paderborn, Germany
3. Condor Wisconsin State University, USA
4. DJM MSCI, USA
5. DQS 3.x SCRI, FSU, USA
6. EASY ANL, USA
7. far University of Liverpool, UK
8. Generic NQS University of Sheffield, UK
9. MDQS ABRL, USA
10. PBS NASA Ames Research Center, USA
11. PRM ISI, UC, USA
12. QBATCH Vita Ltd, USA

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