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"This is not a troll comment but can it run on a cluster?"

No it's not troll, but it's totally uniformed. Currently SMP (multiprocessor/multithreaded) VMware is only supported on ESX server as an addon. As ESX runs on bare hardware (it's GSX who runs as a Linux application), there is currently no support for "virtual multiple CPUs in Linux". (Xen does this, but it's not the issue now).

Additionally OpenMOSIX (which comes with ClusterKnoppix - I guess you meant this by "those Live CDs"), does not to "SMP like" processing. Instead it combines the processes in a "global system view" state. (Too much technical details here, but a multiple threads are not migrated -- see HOWTO).

Moreover, it would be slow because of obvious issues -- as in network based access to disk and shared memory!

Finally multiple GSX servers managed from a single point is already possible with VMWare virtual center (google this yourselves is left for an exercise).

Sorry, but your suggestion will not work (at least under current circumstances).

Imagine a beowulf cluster of these!

Imagine a beowulf cluster of Knoppix DVDs.

Yes, Quantian, which is based on ClusterKnoppix.

Yes... just google for it... it comes up top with just a simple search... deity... kids these days want everything served up for them... too darn lazy, that's what it is... grrr... when I were a lad... we had to build our own clusters from scratch... none of these new fangled magic tools like ClusterKnoppix... aye... right tough we were...

Good ideas, all. I am curious how something like ClusterKnoppix in all of the desktops would work in an environment like this. Use the main server(s) more for file storage and administration, but the whole classroom can contribute to the shared processing.

I need someone to donate several fairly powerful machines to me so I can find out for myself. Maybe if I hide behind a tree and make a sound like a Mexican school?

Has anyone else done something like this? Does it work?

Actually, yes
http://bofh.be/clusterknoppix/

To reaffirm what the article said building linux clusters is very simple. In fact certain distributions such as bccd and cluster knoppix specifically for that. Although configuring clustering softwares such as pvm mpi lam mosix etc wouldn't be a problem, I prefer something which has almost everything build into one package thats why I like the above distros. In fact I built a cluster (using BCCD) at home and used it to render images built from povray. I used pvmpov for the rendering on a cluster part. Although there were only four machines the speed difference was evident. And above all making clusters is extremely cool and shows the paradigm shift towards parallel computing.

ClusterKnoppix is pretty cool. Its got all the auto detect hardware features of regular knoppix, and also aautomatically adds itself to the cluster.

ClusterKnoppix may be just what you're looking for...

some kind of standard distribution deamon/software was installed

Yeah, even better would be if we could boot into this "deamon" when we want!

We could call it "super-computer-booting-from-cd"!

I'm going to write it down in my weblog [ http://bofh.be/clusterknoppix/download.htm ] right now, so nobody steals that great idea!

Now what I'd really like to see is a distribution called BeginnerLinux or something along those lines, maybe based off of one of the big distros, that works as a LiveCD and is specifically tailored to giving the new user a comprehensive walkthrough of Linux, from apps to everything under the hood, and then shows them how to move to a full blown distro.

Apparently they're using Cluster Knoppix. So the tools for this already exist, it's merely a matter of getting enough machines to play together well.

Sort of like this?

What distros are people putting in their (Beowulf ;) ) clusters in their companies? [...] I think Knoppix will be hard pressed to compete there.

ClusterKnoppix is Knoppix on steroids. Instant OpenMosix cluster using PXE network boot for clients.

Do you mean ClusterKnoppix? Or, are you talking about the hardware, as well?

Note that you can do Beowulfy tricks with OS X just as easily as with Linux - well, as with disk-bound Linux (nothing beats ClusterKnoppix for convenience). It just costs more to do so (like, nearly double), and sadly the schools figure that if they're going to change, it will be to one system only: and the almighty buck rules. However, I figure that a desktop loosed from MS-Windows' clutches is a desktop freed, never mind the beauty competitions. (-: PS, it tickles my funnybone that the linked OS X page - written by an afficiondo of the stylish Mac - looks ugly and says so. :-)

It's so much easier to put together a cluster of Windows machines when you don't know a lot about it that a cluster of *nix.

Not any more! Search google for 'cluster knoppix'. Or go here

It's this simple: boot a server with the .ISO, boot the clients via network or .ISO and presto! A Mosix Cluster!

It's a facinating this to turn a Windows network into a temporary Mosix cluster in under an hour. Pull the CD's out and reboot, and your back to Windows. (Or other OS)

It's not like there's anything free out there that does this.

Do I buy a $3000 G5, or a dozen 2Ghz Athlons loaded with ClusterKnoppix?

Not yet, but I did check out ClusterKnoppix the other day. Quite the impressive little CD it is.
download it!

/. strikes again

And this is hilarious too.

All I have to say is.. <voice actor="nelson">Ha ha!</voice>

The author's got some really funny images on his site.

The author's got some really funny images on his site.