Cluster Computer, this technology used to maintain availability of server or computer fully(24 hours, 365 days). For this kind of support they configure the first server then they configure the second server with the same configuration. Both server connected over network(sometime both in geographically different location). The two server having same IP address with clustering software. Also there is additional network card in both computers. This maintained the Heart Beat of cluster server.
Suppose the first computer/server is the main one, whenever the main fails the second one going to be linked.
So the second computer always checks the Heart Beat of first server for each micro seconds, if heart beat fails the second going to be response the request over network.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090820022457AADuqmT
The exact definition of a cluster computer will depend a little on who you ask. However, there are some general characteristics that most will agree upon.
ReplyDelete1. Consists of many of the same or similar type of machines.
2. Tightly-coupled using dedicated network connections.
3. All machines share resources such as a common home directory.
4. They must trust each other so that rsh or ssh does not require a password, otherwise you would need to do a manual start on each machine.
5. Must have software such as an MPI implementation installed to allow programs to be run across all nodes.
vitamine a