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Virtual Clusters: A Cost-Benefit Look Into the Future of Computing at CMU

Virtual Clusters: A Cost-Benefit Look Into the Future of Computing at CMU. Alok Chatterjee Anusha Krishnakumar November 25 th 2002. Introduction - What is a Virtual Cluster?. VC Locations University Center VC (Apple grant) GSIA (IBM ThinkPads)

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Virtual Clusters: A Cost-Benefit Look Into the Future of Computing at CMU

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  1. Virtual Clusters:A Cost-Benefit Look Into the Future of Computing at CMU Alok Chatterjee Anusha Krishnakumar November 25th 2002

  2. Introduction - What is a Virtual Cluster? • VC Locations • University Center VC (Apple grant) • GSIA (IBM ThinkPads) • “Laptop check-out system” very similar to library system • Background on “VC’s” • Planning process begun in 1994

  3. GSIA Virtual Cluster • First VC opened in 1998 (pilot program) • 28 IBM ThinkPads • GSIA full service VC • 50 ThinkPads today • Various known problems going into VC project

  4. GSIA VC Costs • Main costs associated with VC: • Need for More Man-Power • Network issues (wireless supports far less bandwidth) • Further costs: • Laptop / Battery lifecycle • Replacement costs • Skilled labor / Training costs • Waiting time • Back-to-back classes, etc • Laptop availability • Not available 24 hours

  5. Need for More Man-Power • Training (i.e., logistics for running the cluster) • Cluster needs to be constantly staffed • Certain Technical Skills (e.g., technical support) • Higher salaries associated with the above attributes

  6. Network issues • Wireless supports far less bandwidth, resulting in more jams • Users closer to wireless hubs tend to use up more bandwidth, detracting from other users’ usage capabilities

  7. GSIA VC Benefits • Various benefits too • Space conservation • Energy savings • Flexibility / Mobility

  8. Space Conservation • Small checkout hub, located near classrooms / auditoriums • The GSIA virtual cluster takes up approximately one-tenth of the space that the Baker cluster does • Given the shortage of classrooms on campus, the potential benefits resulting from more virtual clusters, and, by extension, fewer desktop clusters, could be enormous

  9. Energy Savings • Laptops tend to take less energy than desktops • Dependent upon the power consumption of the battery charger • These computers will NOT be left on all the time like the cluster computers

  10. Flexibility / Mobility • All the benefits of a laptop, plus an Ethernet connection • Especially useful given space constraints • Can effectively control the size of the cluster

  11. Wrap-up • Various benefits and costs as mentioned earlier • Space, energy, replacement costs, etc • Success of Virtual Cluster system today • Laptops checked out on a regular basis, popular with students and professors • Our recommendation • Expand the virtual cluster service and eliminate some desktop clusters

  12. Questions?

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