Slashdot Mirror
How Well Does Windows Cluster?
cascadefx asks: "I work for a mid-sized mid-western university. One of our departments has started up a small Beowulf cluster research project that he hopes to grow over time. At the moment, the thing is incredibly weak... but it is running on old hardware and is basically used for dog and pony shows to get more funding and hopefully donations of higher-end systems. It runs Linux and works, it is just not anything to write home about. Here's the problem: my understanding is that an MS rep asked what it would take to get them to switch to a Microsoft cluster. Is this possible? Are there MS clusters that do what Beowulf clusters are capable of? I thought MS clusters were for load balancing, not computation... which is the hoped-for goal of this project. Can the Slashdot crowd offer some advice? If there are MS clusters, comparisons of the capabilities would be welcome." One has to only go as far as Microsoft's site to see its current attempt at clustering, but what is the real story. Have any of you had a chance to pit a Linux Beowulf cluster against one from Microsoft? How did they compare?
...he talks of being in a educational institution and you guys think of licensing costs? most have campus licenses (for a low fee) allowing them to use as much windows as they want without paying an additional fee. Seems you trolls dont have even a clue why you dont beat the hell out of Microsoft. Simple: They are not that stupid. Just because you morons have to pay the full price does not mean that anyone who is worth something for MS has to pay - I get my MS Softwarte for free (for a long time by now), and heh as with a VERY high propability access to a similar deal to. My advice: GET IT GOING ON MS. Why? Obviously MS wants you to get it going, so ask your rep for all support you can get. That will be more and better (a.k.a. professional) than anything you can get for LinSux.
gee, after a fudge up like that, I would think that I would dump Windows rather than take them back after they promiss it will be better.....
Ahhh well, PHBs are like abused wifes I guess.
I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
At the bottom of a deep pit. :-)
Sometimes boldness is in fashion. Sometimes only the brave will be bold.