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Maximum # of Nodes under Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 HPC Edition RRS feed

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    Hi.

       I have a few questions in regard of the Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 HPC Edition operating-system. I have not been able to find this information at the relevant product-webpage.

    1. What is the maximum number of nodes possible in an HPC cluster, where all compute nodes are running the Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 HPC Edition operating-system and the Microsoft HPC Pack 2008 R2 Express Edition application?
    2. What is the maximum number of failover head nodes possible in an HPC cluster, where all head nodes are running the Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise Edition operating-system and the Microsoft HPC Pack 2008 R2 Enterprise Edition application?
    3. Are the maximum numbers for head and compute nodes independent of each other, or is there an overall maximum number of nodes permitted in an HPC cluster?
    4. Can compute nodes (running the Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 HPC Edition operating-system and the Microsoft HPC Pack 2008 R2 Express Edition application) boot over InfiniBand from a Storage Area Network?
    5. Can a workstation node (running the Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Edition operating-system and the Microsoft HPC Pack 2008 R2 Workstation Edition application) be the head node in an HPC cluster?

       Thanks.

    Monday, September 6, 2010 6:48 PM

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    It may be possible, but right now HPC Failover Clustering has only been designed for a fail over clustering instance of 2 machines.  So even if you have 16 machines in a failover instance, HPC will not install or work properly with them.
    Wednesday, September 15, 2010 9:01 PM

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    1.  Cluster size limits are not programatically enforced for the maximum number of nodes.  Cluster sizes of 1000 nodes are tested on a regular basis as part of our scale testing.

    2. A failover head node is set up using a failover grouping of two nodes that failover the head node services.

    3. On a single cluser, the maxium number of nodes that is supported is a fail over head node (2 head nodes) and 1000 compute nodes .

    4. Currently booting from an IB Network is not supported.

    5. A workstation node cannot be a head node in an HPC cluster.

     

     

    • Proposed as answer by Mark Staveley Tuesday, September 7, 2010 6:38 PM
    Tuesday, September 7, 2010 6:38 PM
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       In regard of the question no. 2 and its answer, as the failover head nodes will be running on Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise Edition, which supports failover clusters of up to 16 nodes, shouldn't it be possible to construct a HPC cluster with a with a failover head node which consists of 1 active and 15 inactive head nodes?

    Wednesday, September 15, 2010 2:41 AM
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    It may be possible, but right now HPC Failover Clustering has only been designed for a fail over clustering instance of 2 machines.  So even if you have 16 machines in a failover instance, HPC will not install or work properly with them.
    Wednesday, September 15, 2010 9:01 PM