I currently have a 15" mbp a 17" imac and soon a mac pro (I'm going to max ram and graphics). But I'm wondering if there is a way to connect all these computers to make my own mini super computer. I know this is done when all of these computers are connected and a task is divided up between all the resources. I also want to know if there is a way to detach my mbp from this link to carry around and reattach it when I get home without disturbing the computer.
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- Thread starter barijazz
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You could use Synergy (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=r...tcFbhQFT5cNNzg&sig2=z_vkB-r0YgkUnr6bfJWeoQ)to distribute your control of your computers, and I know you can setup Distributed Computing using Apple Remote Desktop (though I've never actually done it). What are you using these machines for that require this amount of power?
EDIT: And a Mac Pro that is maxed out? I would imagine you will need to look into OS X Server to acquire the combined power of these computers. Not beginner stuff by any means.
EDIT: And a Mac Pro that is maxed out? I would imagine you will need to look into OS X Server to acquire the combined power of these computers. Not beginner stuff by any means.
Well, it won't be a 'supercomputer' but clustering machines does, obviously, increase the amount of work that can be processed in a given time....
The burning question is..... To do what?
It depends entirely on what you need the cluster to run as to how you'd best go about it... OS X Server supports clustering and there are several other methods (Pooch comes to mind, but there are a number of application-specific methods too - even something as lowly as Bryce comes with basic clustering functionality).
Do bear in mind, however, that whatever your application is, it will need to have been designed to work with clustering to be used in that way.
The burning question is..... To do what?
It depends entirely on what you need the cluster to run as to how you'd best go about it... OS X Server supports clustering and there are several other methods (Pooch comes to mind, but there are a number of application-specific methods too - even something as lowly as Bryce comes with basic clustering functionality).
Do bear in mind, however, that whatever your application is, it will need to have been designed to work with clustering to be used in that way.
Couldn't you do it via gigabit ethernet on all of them? Maybe you would need some sort of networking equipment, but in our office, everything is linked over the network. I am thinking that this would be the way to go, I just don't know the details.
It sounds cool though. particularly if you might be doing a lot of rendering and could couple the processing power to get it all done sooner. I wonder if any of
's pro apps support that type of set up?Gigabit ethernet connections.
You still haven't given us any idea about what you intend to do with the cluster, though, which severely restricts the advice we can give....
Using the software listed by others here and connecting the computers through gigabit ethernet you can fairly easily set up a Mac farm where you can distribute processor loads between the three machines.
If your doing this just because you can, cool. Otherwise with the Mac Pro you will have much power at your hands.
If your doing this just because you can, cool. Otherwise with the Mac Pro you will have much power at your hands.
Clustered computing is also useful for scientific data analysis when large, complex formulas and algorithms are involved.
Most clusters these days actually run on Linux, but using macs is possible. Unless you are doing some extremely heavy computing, I doubt you will make much use of the power in your hands, but in the event that I'm wrong, check out Clustered Computing on google.
You would definitely use gigabit ethernet, a switch, a hub or something to assign the ips, and some special software to get it all going.
Some was listed above in the post. Know, that many computational processes will actually be slowed by splitting it over several compute nodes.
Best of luck,
Brian
Most clusters these days actually run on Linux, but using macs is possible. Unless you are doing some extremely heavy computing, I doubt you will make much use of the power in your hands, but in the event that I'm wrong, check out Clustered Computing on google.
You would definitely use gigabit ethernet, a switch, a hub or something to assign the ips, and some special software to get it all going.
Some was listed above in the post. Know, that many computational processes will actually be slowed by splitting it over several compute nodes.
Best of luck,
Brian
This actually brings up an interesting question/point. I got a MBP and a ibook. Would I be able to cluster the machines so I can work with FCE so the files can render faster? Or do I need FCP/FCS?
since money is clearly no object why not just get a rack of Xserves? http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects/BizCustom?qprm=78313&family=Xserve