Computing Cluster Instance

A Computing Cluster Instance is a composite computing system composed of computers that work together (to appear as a single computing system).

• AKA: Computer Cluster.
• Context:
  • It can (typically) make use of a Cluster Computing Framework.
  • It can range from being a Small Computing Cluster to being a Large Computing Cluster.
  • …
• Example(s):
  • the cluster that supports Google Canada's Web Search Service.
  • an Apache Spark Cluster.
  • …
• Counter-Example(s):
  • a Single Computer.
• See: Distcc, Computing Cluster Manager, Computer Cluster Creation, Grid Computing, Local Area Network, Operating System, Open Source Cluster Application Resources, Distributed Computing, Node (Computer Science).

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References

2014

• (Wikipedia, 2014) ⇒ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_cluster Retrieved:2014-11-20.
  • A computer cluster consists of a set of loosely or tightly connected computers that work together so that, in many respects, they can be viewed as a single system. Unlike grid computers, computer clusters have each node set to perform the same task, controlled and scheduled by software. The components of a cluster are usually connected to each other through fast local area networks ("LAN"), with each node (computer used as a server) running its own instance of an operating system. In most circumstances, all of the nodes use the same hardware and the same operating system, although some setups (i.e. using Open Source Cluster Application Resources (OSCAR)), different operating systems can be used on each computer, and/or different hardware. They are usually deployed to improve performance and availability over that of a single computer, while typically being much more cost-effective than single computers of comparable speed or availability. Computer clusters emerged as a result of convergence of a number of computing trends including the availability of low cost microprocessors, high speed networks, and software for high-performance distributed computing. They have a wide range of applicability and deployment, ranging from small business clusters with a handful of nodes to some of the fastest supercomputers in the world such as IBM's Sequoia. The applications that can be done however, are nonetheless limited, since the software needs to be purpose-built per task. It is hence not possible to use computer clusters for casual computing tasks.

2009

• http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/cluster#Noun
  • cluster (plural clusters)
    • 5. (computing) A group of computers that work together.

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