VTLUUG:Beowulf Cluster

In 1999, VTLUUG created an 8-node Beowulf cluster out of spare and donated hardware.

About Our Cluster Project

(Taken from here.)

'Beowulf', in addition to being the name of the hero of a Norse epic poem, is also the name of the networking software used to link together a 'Beowulf' class Linux cluster - a group of computers running the operating system Linux and networked together to work as a single computer potentially rivaling the power of modern-day supercomputers (maybe...).

The local Linux/UNIX Users Group here in Blacksburg, Virginia has set out to set up just such a cluster initially using donated and scavenged PC parts. The resulting cluster may be put to use calculating PI, altering time, speeding up the harvest, or doing complex calculations for departments of the university that are interested in becoming involved with the project.

In February 2013, the idea for a Raspberry Pi cluster arose as a reincarnation of the beowulf cluster.

Project Timeline

May 10, 1999

Lots of people gone for the summer. We're gearing up for setting up software and starting some real capability testing - probably not until Fall when people get back though.

April 16, 1999

Seven nodes are up and running.

Late March, 1999

The hardware was set up in space provided graciously by the Atomistic Simulation Lab of the Materials Engineering Department at Virginia Tech during the week of Spring Break (how nerdy is that?).

March 2, 1999

Project team met to assemble assorted donated and purchased parts into 7 (one more still under construction) functional computers that will become the 8 nodes in our cluster. Note: Clemmit, in a fit of over-productivity, assembled two of these 7 the night before by himself. What a poser. :)

Early February, 1999

Members of the L/UUG at VT officially begin planning a Beowulf cluster project.