[lug] Cluster Mfr Recommends

[D. Stimits]

Nick Golder wrote:
> On 2005-03-14 15:37 -0700, Steve Sullivan <Steve Sullivan wrote:
> 
>>The company I work with wants to purchase several
>>linux clusters and is looking for recommendations.
>>The typical cluster is 6 to 12 computers in one rack.
>>Usually reliability is a big issue, with high
>>availability software, fail-overs, etc.
>>
>>They want Intel Pentiums and run their own version of Debian.
>>They need a company that can deliver to Washington, Boulder
>>and other cities.
>>
>>Who would you recommend?
>>
> 
> 
> Haven't dealt with them but they are marginally local:
> http://www.aspsys.com
> 

I worked here for a while making some prototype diskless cluster 
management software. They have used SuperMicro a lot for the 
Pentium/Xeon class, don't know if they still do. I personally have 2 
SuperMicro m/b's that are doing well long since they became obsolete. 
The only complaint I have is that one took a while to get APIC support 
on SMP boards...which meant only one cpu could handle hardware IRQ's. 
However, I don't think any brand of Intel chipset is any different in 
this regard. SuperMicro itself seems to be fairly solid, and Aspen 
definitely did a good burn-in process when I was there. As for delivery, 
I know they've delivered all over Boulder Valley area. You'd have to ask 
them though what they do now because it has been a while. Just to be 
fair, I doubt any cluster builder is OEM to their own hardware unless 
they are a big name like IBM. Everyone these days seems to sell name 
brands or relabel of some brand with their own logo on it. If you get 
someone who uses their own hardware brand, make sure they will be in 
business for a few more years (e.g., IBM). If you buy from someone who 
assembled from quality parts that they know work with linux and cluster 
software, it won't much matter if they go away in a month or not.

D. Stimits, stimits AT comcast DOT net