Compute Cluster General Information

A typical compute cluster is comprised of one or more 19 inch racks, head nodes, compute nodes, storage arrays and a private interconnect (Ethernet, Infiniband, etc).

Cluster Rack charges are for machine room support of each 19 inch rack, in lieu of a per-system machine room support charge.

Cluster Node charge is a reduced rate for limited hardware and software support on each compute node.

Cluster Head Nodes may be charged standard hardware and software support charges.

Cluster Devices specialized devices that may be charged standard hardware and software support charges.

Cluster Compute Node specialized nodes within a compute cluster such as nodes that are part of an HDFS (Hadoop) file system.

Compute Cluster Support

Hardware Type & Service Identifier	Description	Typical Monthly Service Charges
Cluster Head (CLH)	Response time is urgent Full Support for the Server Data persistence is addressed via specific strategies	Hardware (H) $24.50 Software (S) $31.50 Network (N) $21.50 Backups - Optional (B) $25.00
Cluster Node (CLN)	Response time is not urgent The Operating System is pushed to the node Software is wipe and re-install There is no persistent data on the node i.e. back up services is not available Repairs are done via warranty or used parts	CLN $9.00
Cluster Device (CLD)	Response time is urgent Data persistence is addressed via specific strategies No machine room charges Examples include SAN, NAS, RAID Array,etc.	Hardware (H) $24.50 Software (S) $31.50
Cluster Rack (CLR)	19 inch rack In lieu of per system machine room charges	CLR $170.00
Cluster Compute Node (CLC)	Typically used for Hadoop (HDFS) data nodes Response time is expidited but not urgent The Operating System is pushed to the node Software is wipe and re-install There is persistent data which is replicated elsewhere No backup service available Repairs are done via warranty or used parts	CLR $18.00

Compute Cluster Specifics

The cluster(s) must be located in the SCS machine room and will be housed in one or more 19" racks.
- Only rack mountable components that are integral parts of the compute cluster will be installed in the Cluster Racks.
All of the compute cluster hardware is purchased by the owner. This includes the following:
- Racks
- Nodes
- Storage devices
- Private network switches
- PDU's (Power Distribution Unit)
- UPS's (Uninterruptable Power Supply)
The cluster must run job queuing software such as Condor or PBS.
Compute Nodes
- These nodes are not connected to the public network; instead, they are on a private switch within the compute cluster
- Hardware repair on a compute node is limited to the manufacturer's warranty
Hadoop and HDFS are supported but are charged at a higher (CLC) rate
- HDFS must have a minimum of three replicants
- The Name Node is treated as a Cluster device (CLD) and charged Hardware and Software support
Head or system hardware that provide a specialized function such as a NAS or SAN or any node that is part of a specialized dedicated files system such as Lustre distinct from a Compute Node may be charged full Hardware and/or Software support
Required administrative user account that is charged at a 4% rate