What is Cluster Computing?
Cluster computing or High-Performance computing frameworks is a form of computing in which bunch of computers (often called nodes) that are connected through a LAN (local area network) so that, they behave like a single machine. A computer cluster help to solve complex operations more efficiently with much faster processing speed, better data integrity than a single computer and they only used for mission-critical applications.
The Clustering methods have identified as- HPC IAAS, HPC PAAS, that are more expensive and difficult to setup and maintain than a single computer.
A computer cluster defined as the addition of processes for delivering large-scale processing to reduce downtime and larger storage capacity as compared to other desktop workstation or computer.
Some of the critical Applications of Cluster Computers are Google Search Engine, Petroleum Reservoir Simulation, Earthquake Simulation, Weather Forecasting.
Cluster Can be classified into two category Open and Close Cluster.
Open Cluster: All nodes in Open Cluster are needed IPs, and that are accessible through internet/web,that cause more security concern.
Close Cluster: On the other hand Close Cluster are hide behind the gateway node and provide better security.
Types of Cluster computing
1. Load-balancing clusters: As the name implies, This system is used to distribute workload across multiple computers. That system
distributes the processing load as possible across a cluster of computers.
2. High availability (HA) clusters: A high availability clusters (HA cluster) are the bunch of computers that can reliably utilise for
redundant operations in the event of nodes failure in Cluster computing.
3. High performance (HP) clusters: This computer networking methodology use supercomputers and Cluster computing to solve advanced computation problems.
Advantages of using Cluster computing
1. Cost efficiency: In a Cluster computing Cost efficiency is the ratio of cost to output, that is the connecting group of the computer as computer cluster much cheaper as compared to mainframe computers.
2. Processing speed: The Processing speed of computer cluster is the same as a mainframe computer.
3. Expandability: The best benefit of Cluster Computing is that it can be expanded easily by adding the additional desktop workstation to the system.
4. High availability of resources: If any node fails in a computer cluster, another node within the cluster continue to provide uninterrupted processing. When a mainframe system fails, the entire system fails.