Cluster Computing¶
What is Cluster Computing?¶
Definition: Cluster
A cluster is a set of computers that are connected together and share resources as if they were one gigantic computer.
How Does Cluster Computing WorK?¶
Definition: Parallel Processing
Parallel Processing is the act of carrying out multiple tasks simultaneously to solve a problem. This is accomplished by dividing the problem into independent subparts, which are then solved concurrently.
Definition: Jobs
Jobs denote the independent subparts.
Why use Cluster Computing?¶
Pros
- Speeds up simulations by allowing iterations to be run simultaneously.
- Provides more resources for computations.
- e.g. CPU Cores, RAM, Hard Drive Space, and Graphics Cards (GPUs).
- Nightly snapshots/backups of files.
- Extends the lifespan of your computer.
Cons
- Simulations are not instantly run.
- Need to "queue" for resources.
- Higher barrier of entry due to knowledge requirements.
- Poorly handles opening and closing data sets.
- Adding or updating software is complex.