1. BMCBeowulfSuperComputer:Log
1.1. Wednesday, January 7, 2004
Contacted Ephi regarding old PCs. He said that there were probably some available. Scott Silverman gave the ok to release 24 into our hands.
1.2. Thursday, January 8, 2004
24 old PCs arrive!
1.3. Friday, January 9, 2004
We have a commitment from IT ($5k).
Mike and Doug buy 24 new cases from MicroCenter. They were on sale for $29.00 each, marked down from $39.00. We looked at cheaper cases, but they were really poorly made. Decided on the $29 ones with 300W power supplies.
Doug shown unloading the initial purchases of 24 cases. The truck was packed! FYI: the largest number of cases you can get into a Ford Explorer is 25, if you want to have room for two people. Photo by Mike.
Total cost: $720
1.4. Monday, January 12, 2004
We have a commitment from Physics ($2k).
1.5. Tuesday, January 13, 2004
Mike places order for all new parts! Should arrive later this week.
1.6. Wednesday, January 14, 2004
We have a commitment from Geology from Weecha Crawford (>= $1k).
1.7. Wednesday, January 21, 200
Commitment from Computer Science $3k
1.8. Friday, January 30, 2004
Mike and Doug assemble the first node. Most everything works! Need to buy different fans from the ones that came in the old Dell's as the cables were too short, and would have needed some special screws.
1.9. Monday, February 9, 2004
It's alive!
1.10. March, 2004
System is fully operational! Projects are underway in Physics and Computer Science.
1.11. Friday, January 7, 2005
Planning Meeting for Phase II. We met and decided to double the size of the cluster from 24 to 48, and increase the memeory in all of the nodes to 1 GB. Computer Services will supply a 48-port 10/100/1000 switch. This will allow us to incrementally test and upgrade network adapters to the 1 Gbit level.
Mike has started ordering parts, and another build party will be held in the middle of February.
