32 bit cluster ???

[spinem]

Hello all,

Im new, as well as new to the wonderful world of linux, Im currently running ubuntu 10.4 and xubuntu 10.4 on 3 drives /w/ 1 as a shred swap space.

I may have come upon some odd 6 windows xp computers and ive been thinking of making a cluster.

a few questions first; will i be able to use them as a server as well?

will i need a netowrk switch?

whats the best server software to use? i need an easy program (first time like i said)
ive looked into red hat, however i cant afford to pay for software, id like to keep things legit and free from provider.

also, i believe they are 32 bit base.... can i convert them to 64 bit??? little confused on that whole subject.....
thanks!!!

[MikeTbob]

Hello and Welcome,
I'd suggest that you check out CentOS.
www.centos.org - The Community ENTerprise Operating System
It comes in 32 or 64 bit, normally if you use a 32 bit OS, you want to use 32 Bit software and not 64 bit, no conversion needed.

[spinem]

currently installing!
....do i have to type "y" for every option during install?

[MikeTbob]

It depends on your system and what the questions are. Most of the time, the defaults are very safe.

[spinem]

how do i install? apparently it is booting from disk only....

[MikeTbob]

Assuming you have CentOS 5.1, DVD version.
Installation Guide: CentOS 5.1 Desktop | HowtoForge - Linux Howtos and Tutorials

[spinem]

i googled and found this page( same page u sent me) , however when i locate and choose a mirror, it gives me tons of isolinks. what one for install do i choose? netinstall.iso??

thanks for your help!

[MikeTbob]

Probably this one: CentOS-5.5-i386-bin-DVD.iso, it's the DVD version for full installs.

[spinem]

hummm i think i already made a cd of that one, ill try it. thanks!

[Lakshmipathi]

Hello all,

Im new, as well as new to the wonderful world of linux, Im currently running ubuntu 10.4 and xubuntu 10.4 on 3 drives /w/ 1 as a shred swap space.

I may have come upon some odd 6 windows xp computers and ive been thinking of making a cluster.

a few questions first; will i be able to use them as a server as well?

will i need a netowrk switch?

whats the best server software to use? i need an easy program (first time like i said)
ive looked into red hat, however i cant afford to pay for software, id like to keep things legit and free from provider.

also, i believe they are 32 bit base.... can i convert them to 64 bit??? little confused on that whole subject.....
thanks!!!

Welcome to Linux World !!

however i cant afford to pay for software,

That's why we have open source ! For Clustering software checkout
DRBD:What is DRBD
Gluster: Open Source Clustered Storage | Easy Scale-Out File System.

disclosure : I work with gluster