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 <eric.oyen@icloud.com> 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 <wheelie207@ownmail.net> 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


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