HP Cluster Platform, Introduction Manual

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• Depending on the operating environment, the cluster configuration might be restricted to
specific components, such as gigabit Ethernet switches rather than 10/100 Base-T switches.
• The operating environment might also require specific connections between components,
such as a connection between the control node and the interconnect, which is an optional
configuration.
• The assignment of additional roles or functions to nodes also depends on the operating
environment, and is implemented by two methods:
— Giving nodes a function, such as assigning a utility node to manager the cluster's I/O.
— Organizing nodes into pools (related groups of identically configured nodes) and
assigning the pool a specific function, such as one pool of compute nodes and another
pool of I/O nodes.
Consult your operating environment documentation for information on the relationship between
the cluster hardware configuration and the operating system requirements.
Cluster components are integrated and mounted in HP 10000 G1/G2 Series racks. The type of
rack most commonly used is 42U, which is two meters high (78.7 inches). The Site Preparation
Guide describes the racks in detail. Dimensions of racks and rack-mountable components are
described in terms of U measurements. Each U measurement is 44.45 millimeters (1.75 inches)
high. The two-meter HP 10000 G1/G2 Series racks have 42U of rack space.
Figure 2-1 shows the
location of components in a typical 32-node dense cluster. Note that components that are mounted
with ports facing the rear of the rack are concealed behind filler panels (a 1U snap-in filler panel
is normally used to fill the front of each rack position.)
22 Platform Core Components