Beowulf Build Party 2005
Want to assemble a computer from scratch? Want to help build BMC's first supercomputer? Want to learn how to build your own computer from parts, which could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars? Want to learn about Linux? Want some pizza?
Come join us for our annual Beowulf Build Party:
Date: Wednesday, Feb 9, 2005 Time: Pizza 6pm, Build 7pm - 9pm Place: Park Science Building, Room 338
We will meet at 6pm for pizza and building instructions, and begin building 24 computers at 7pm. You should be able to finish your computer in about an hour and half. We will also show the move Hackers over pizza. You also get to name your computer!
Sign up here: BeowulfBuildPartyRSVP
What's a Beowulf Supercomputer?
A Beowulf Supercomputer is a set of low-cost, off-the-shelf computers that are connected via a standard network and special software. These connected computers can then perform as a single programmable "supercomputer." Typically, the individual computers are inexpensive PCs running Linux connected together through regular networking. Beowulf-class computer clusters can span the range from a few, older PCs to an entire building of fast, ultra-modern workstations.
A Beowulf-class supercomputer can be used by anyone performing computations. In its simplest usage, the cluster can be used as a convenient method to run multiple copies of the same program. For example, say you had a Java program that crunches some numbers. You could simply run many copies of that program at once, all in parallel. More sophisticated parallelization would require more complicated programming.
With access to a Beowulf-class cluster, students and faculty can attempt to tackle problems that have been too computationally expensive. Our hope is that this would lead to expanded opportunities in research and the classroom. Typical uses could include modeling, simulation, analysis, 3D computer animation rendering, and optimization.
Why is it called Beowulf?
Come and find out!
More Information
You can find out more about the project at our main page, BMCBeowulfSuperComputer
