Saw this recently, a backplane for up to 5 rpi compute modules (rpi but lacking external ports). It's pricey, but interesting for a contained little farm ($270 for the backplane, $30ea per pi3 compute). https://www.mininodes.com/product/5-node-raspberry-pi-3-com-carrier-board/ Shame none seem to include good wired ethernet options for the units, like this 16 rpi zero board, but sadly never went anywhere for production... https://www.cnx-software.com/2016/01/22/this-is-what-a-16-raspberry-pi-zero-cluster-board-looks-like/ I use pi's for anything from network testing units, to serial terminal servers (just add 2-4 port usb serial adapters), retropi gaming systems, or even home sprinkler 24v irrigation controllers, but clusters for academic research might be cool if so inclined, and cheaper/more portable than normal compute hardware to play with. -mb On Fri, Apr 19, 2019 at 3:01 PM Eric Oyen wrote: > Well, > About all you need is the open_cl package, a small number of recent > vintage supported GPU cards, small HDD’s (enough for the OS and some swap > space) as much ram as you can stuff in each machine and a good network card > and switch combo. The reason for the GPU’s? Bitcoin mining, password > cracking/recovery and any other project that supports using multiple gpu > cards. If your machines aren’t up to the task, start with a PXE booted > cluster of RaspberryPi units (start with an odd number like 3 (one as the > master control unit). I had plans to do this myself, but my fixed income > here just isn’t up to the task of doing more than paying for the basic > bills. > > -Eric > From the Central Offices of the Technomage Guild, Open Cluster Development > and research Dept. > > > On Apr 16, 2019, at 7:36 PM, Harold Hartley > wrote: > > I’m looking at building a cluster and I know there are different types. I > haven’t fully decided on what I would be using it for. > Well, I have 4 computers about 3 or 4 years old and all have i5 processing > with 8 gigs ram in each. I am not sure what size hard drives I want in > them. I am looking at doing animations making my own small video movie like > and then post on my blog. Even thought of other uses as well. > Would anyone have an idea what type of cluster I should go with. Thanks > > -- > Harold Hartley > 17632 N. 5th place > Phoenix, AZ 85022 > wheelie207@ownmail.net > > > --------------------------------------------------- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.phxlinux.org > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > https://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > > > --------------------------------------------------- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.phxlinux.org > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > https://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss