is this possible

[skywalker[TSG]]

i have been thinking is it possible to take say 50 486DX2 66mhz machines and run them all as one big supercomputer i have seen a setup of this nature and it was running under linux and that comp came in place 129 in the world i think it was 200 P133 comps but im not sure anyway if u have any helpfull info i would be gratefull

[a Bill]

Yes, it sounds like a Beowolf cluster that you're talking about. Any Linux website will have more info.

[Dominus]

Here's a great source for Beowulf Cluster info.

http://www.beowulf.org/

And heres an interesting link; probably the largest cluster in existance. 1000 PII 350s!

www.genetic-programming.com (http://www.genetic-programming.com)

[skywalker[TSG]]

im gona get me 20 486DX4 100mhz comps for starters just to try this out

one question dough will this count as ONE supercomp or just 20 100mhz machines ? ?

[welsh wizard]

not sure but even with the auctions chucking out DX2-66 turbo HP machines at $30 a piece you may get the power to compute at a cheap price but what about the space taken by them all not to mention the power company grinning all the way to the bank, if your going to network computers this way why not go for some Pll about the 266m mark then you'l get things moveing.(ps Here is New Zealand )

[emcron]

Hey skywalker any tutorials or information that you find if you could post it here, Im really interested in putting something like this together.
--------------------------
This site has really good info and some great links.
http://www.cacr.caltech.edu/beowulf/

[This message has been edited by emcron (edited 08-28-99).]

[codybear]

there is a guy here in fl that has 50 486's for 15 a piece...they were all networked...i bought 10 and put in cd's and gave them to friends for thier kids to use for homework or some games...if you want i will email you his number

[skywalker[TSG]]

im gona go all the way with this im thinking maybe around 100 or so comps do they have to run att the same speed ? ? ?

welsh wizard: im trying to to this as cheap as possible i might get some free 486es from a local company the P2 266 still costs money

codybear hmm too bad i live in sweden

[RobRich]

I don't believe they have to be the same speed, but it is recommended. As for usablity, unless your doing some serious number crunching (such as determining pi as it approached inifitey), the system is almost usless. I might even get in on this one, since I could do some serious math computations faster than my schools DEC VAX.

[welsh wizard]

well if you want to do it cheepo try local paper for Auctions, a lot of companies are dumping 486's at the moment Y2K and all that, Over here I have been getting DX2-66 turbo sys for $25 to $30 a piece just to strip out hard drives ( Thats NZD about $12 to $14 USD) companies are dumping hundreds of them so they will prob be doing the same over there. also if they are ex company sys they will most likely come with network cards, best of luck with your venture /forum/wink.gif have fun with it and let all know how it goes please.

[ANTONIO E GUERRA]

I am very impressed with the possibilities. Does anybody know if all these computers can be used as web-servers. In many ways, they looked like more affordable than a top of the line webserver.