psc wrote:
I wonder what would be the sensible biggest cluster possible based on
1GB Ethernet network . And especially how would you connect those 1GB
switches together -- now we have (on one of our four clusters) Two 48
ports gigabit switches connected together with 6 patch cables and I just
ran out of ports for expansion and wonder where to go from here as we
already have four clusters and it would be great to stop adding cluster
and start expending them beyond number of outlets on the switch/s ....
NFS and 1GB Ethernet works great for us and we want to stick with it ,
but we would love to find a way how to overcome the current "switch
limitation". ... I heard that there are some "stackable switches" ..
in any case -- any idea , suggestion will be appreciated.
thanks!!
psc
When we started running clusters in 2000 we made the decision to use a
flat networking model and a single switch if at all possible, We use 144
and 160 port Gig e switches for two of our clusters. The overall
performance is better and the routing less complex. Larger switches are
available as well.
We try to go with a flat model as well for Infiniband. Right now we are
using a 96 port Infiniband switch. When we additional nodes to that
cluster we will either move up to a 144 or 288 port chassis. Running the
numbers I found the cost of the large chassis to be on par with the
extra switches required to network using 24 or 36 port switches.
--
Mike Davis Technical Director
(804) 828-3885 Center for High Performance Computing
jmdav...@vcu.edu Virginia Commonwealth University
"Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you
with their ingenuity." George S. Patton
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