Techdocs Library > White papers > Using xCAT to Provision Windows HPC Server 2008 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Document Author: Additional Author(s):	Quang Le Daniel Ghidali, Mayooran Thiru		Document ID:	WP101770
Doc. Organization:	Systems and Technology Group		Document Revised:	10/08/2010
Product(s) covered:	N series; xSeries

Abstract: Administrators and IT departments running an x86-based HPC (High Performance Computing) cluster have previously had to choose a specific operating system to run on the cluster, either multiple variants of Linux®, or Microsoft® Windows®. While homogenous clusters allow for easier systems deployment and management, they fail to provide access to the wide range of resources available through running a hybrid, multiplatform HPC cluster. Traditional dual-boot methods have been advanced in the past, typically using manipulation of the MBR (Master Boot Record) on individual compute nodes. However, these methods have limited flexibility, require disk-based compute nodes, and lack unified systems management capability. In this white paper, we will describe how to leverage IBM’s open-source xCAT 2.4 tool to create a hybrid, on-demand HPC cluster environment that can boot to multiple Linux and Microsoft Windows images using both standard and diskless compute nodes. Best practices for infrastructure design and multiple installation methods will be discussed, and use of IBM System Storage™ N series for iSCSI boot will be described.

Classification:	Hardware; Software; Solutions	Category:	Installation and Migration
Solution(s):	Business Innovation and Optimization (BIO)	ISV(s):	Microsoft
Platform(s):	IBM BladeCenter; IBM System x Family
O/S:	Linux; Windows	Keywords:	xCAT, Windows Server 2008, RHEL, HPC