What Is Beowulf?

[cwizard]

I saw a message about Beowulf. I have a few machines running together for Sysopt and am always looking for ways to boost output.

So how does Beowulf help as opposed to a network of machines feeding to a primary server?

[bkehoe]

Hi,
A Beowulf is a Cluster of Workstations (COW) combined to make 1 big powerful computer/workstation.

E.g. - you get 3 dual Slot-1 motherboards, install 2 PIII 550MHz prcessors into each one and do a network boot off a Linux/Unix server, and each one does the same task - crack RC5.. Instead of 3 computers, you have 1 powerful computer, with a processing power of 3300MHz!

Beowulf wouldn't help in your case, unless you want to loose all your machines to a rack with no monitor, keyboard, or mouse.

Anyway, I hope that explains it to you, and any others wondering.
Brendan

[cwizard]

I just have one other question. Does the output or processing capability exceed that of individual machines? e.g. Suppose I have two 500 MHz machines running nothing but the client. The output of each machine is approximately 448 countable blocks per day x2 or 996 blocks per day. Would those same processors, hooked up in the Beowulf configuration produce more output?

Thanks for the clairification.

Cwizard

[bkehoe]

If you're running the same OS (exact same config, client, e.t.c!) on both your systems, and the 1 beowulf computer there wouldn't be any difference in block output.

As well as RC5 beowulf's could be used for other contests, such as SETI@Home Prime 95, e.t.c - basically any client that will work with a proxy, and Linux.

C U,
Brendan