Creating virtual clusters with Rocks
In the Rocks
© Mattias Löw, Fotolia
Rocks offers an easy solution for clustering with virtual machines.
Rocks is a Linux distribution and cluster management system that allows for rapid deployment of Linux clusters on physical hardware or virtual Xen containers. A Rocks cluster [1] is easy to deploy, and it offers all the benefits of virtualization for the cluster member nodes. With a minimum of two physical machines, Rocks allows for simple and rapid cluster deployment and management, freeing the cluster administrator to focus on supporting grid computing and the distributed applications that make clustering an attractive option.
Included in the standard Rocks distribution are various open source high-performance distributed and parallel computing tools, such as Sun's Grid Engine [2], OpenMPI [3], and Condor. This powerful collection of advanced features is one reason why NASA, the NSA, IBM Austin Research Lab, the U.S. Navy, MIT, Harvard, and Johns Hopkins University are all using Rocks for some of their most intensive applications.
Why Virtualize a Cluster?
The arguments for deploying virtual clusters are the same arguments that justify any virtualization solution: flexibility, ease of management, and efficient hardware resource utilization. For example, in an environment in which 64-bit and 32-bit operating systems must run simultaneously, virtualization is a much more efficient solution than attempting to support two separate hardware platforms in a single cluster.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
CIQ Releases Compatibility Catalog for Rocky Linux
The company behind Rocky Linux is making an open catalog available to developers, hobbyists, and other contributors, so they can verify and publish compatibility with the CIQ lineup.
-
KDE Gets Some Resuscitation
KDE is bringing back two themes that vanished a few years ago, putting a bit more air under its wings.
-
Ubuntu 26.04 Beta Arrives with Some Surprises
Ubuntu 26.04 is almost here, but the beta version has been released, and it might surprise some people.
-
Ubuntu MATE Dev Leaving After 12 years
Martin Wimpress, the maintainer of Ubuntu MATE, is now searching for his successor. Are you the next in line?
-
Kali Linux Waxes Nostalgic with BackTrack Mode
For those who've used Kali Linux since its inception, the changes with the new release are sure to put a smile on your face.
-
Gnome 50 Smooths Out NVIDIA GPU Issues
Gamers rejoice, your favorite pastime just got better with Gnome 50 and NVIDIA GPUs.
-
System76 Retools Thelio Desktop
The new Thelio Mira has landed with improved performance, repairability, and front-facing ports alongside a high-quality tempered glass facade.
-
Some Linux Distros Skirt Age Verification Laws
After California introduced an age verification law recently, open source operating system developers have had to get creative with how they deal with it.
-
UN Creates Open Source Portal
In a quest to strengthen open source collaboration, the United Nations Office of Information and Communications Technology has created a new portal.
-
Latest Linux Kernel RC Contains Changes Galore
Linux kernel 7.0-rc3 includes more changes than have been made in a single release in recent history.