ISBN:0131448536Book Description
Welcome! This book will introduce you to building computing solutions from groups of interconnected systems running the Linux operating system. If you want to learn practical information about building this type of solution, often called a Linux cluster, read on! I am writing this book because I believe the time has come for Linux cluster solutions to move into the mainstream information technology (IT) world from their current homes in universities and research institutes. This cannot happen until Linux clustered solutions, or "clusters," are introduced and demystified for mainstream system administrators and IT solution architects. If this information is what you are looking for, read on! In this book we examine some of the architectures, processes, and collections of technologies that may be used to build clustered Linux systems. We examine the reasons that Linux may make the best choice as the base operating system for a cluster. We do this while attempting to avoid the assumptions and jargon that currently make building Linux clusters the domain of a small club of high-performance computing specialists. If this approach is what you are lookingfor, read on! Learning to build Linux clusters is a journey, like learning any other complex technicaltask. One of the most difficult parts in any journey is just getting started. There is a folk saying that goes something like, "A map does you no good if you don't know where you are." This book will pick a starting point, identify some of the opportunities for Linux cluster solutions, define aprocess for creating a cluster solution, introduce you to some of the necessary components, and give concrete examples of cluster design and construction. Let's begin the journey, shall we? About This Book The intent of this book is to provide an introduction to clustered Linux systems for an audience that may not have any experience working with this type of solution. A cluster comprises multiple physical systems, interconnected and configured to act in concert with each other as if they were a single resource. Throughout, I assume a basic understanding of computer hardware, network,and operating system concepts or the ability to research required topics. I do not, however, assume previous experience with clustered systems. This book is not intended to be an introduction to Linux system administration or Transmision Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) network administration. I make every attempt to point you to appropriate reference books and external sources of information as we proceed. Experience with administering Linux or UNIX systems and an understanding of network connections is essential to getting the most useful information from this book. This book attempts to tie together the "big picture" for those system administrators and system architects who already understand the individual elements of that picture. My goal is to teach you how to configure and use Linux subsystems and tools on multiple physical computers to create the appearance of a single-system "clustered" solution. This is a potentially complexendeavor that relies foremost on understanding the basic operation of the Linux operating system and subsystems, which may involve network connections. Using This Book Part I introduces the concept of a cluster, defines the term cluster as we will use it, and outlines a general process for building a cluster. Part II introduces the hardware components that make up a cluster, along with an architectural model that shows the relationship between the individualhardware components in various types of clusters. Part III applies Linux and open-source software to the software architecture of a cluster, pointing out available solutions and approaches. Part IV discusses the economics and physical construction of cluster hardware, detailing the design and implementation details (cables, power, cooling, and so on). Part I is the key to understanding the process and components involved in building a clustered Linux system--you should start with the chapters in this section. If you are new to the hardware and software components involved in a Linux cluster, you should proceed linearly through the remaining parts of the book. After completing Part I, experienced system architects who are anxious to dive right to the Linux software portion of building clusters should read thematerial in Part III, followed by Part IV. Experienced Linux system administrators may wish to read Parts II and IV, then skim over Part III. 0131448536P09072004 /p>
Reviews From AMAZON.COM
Finally a good Linux Clustering book
This book is very well organized, gets right to the point, has some dry humor (a tradition in technical books) but its not overdone (overdoing it is also a tradition). You really couldn't ask for more. The thing I like most about this book, is the author is very direct. I have some experience with the publishing industry, and authors are *PAID BY THE PAGE*. Which gives them a tremendous incentive to dilute the material into unreadable crap. This author avoids this and deserves the highest praise for doing so.
A thorough and complete guide
Having done Linux for a number of years with single servers I was looking for a resource that would explain clustering in great detail as well as deal with things like environment, support systems, and applications. This book does this in tremendous detail. It's nice to get a single resource that covers all the things you want to know about.