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Playstation 2 Linux Cluster at NCSA

Posted by simoniker on from the networked-fun-for-everyone dept.

Mr. Spock writes "The National Center for Supercomputing Applications is looking at scientific computing on the Sony Playstation 2. They've set up a cluster with 65 compute nodes. They're running Linux for Playstation 2. What will they think of next?"

4 of 232 comments (clear)

  1. More info by cascino · · Score: 5, Informative

    More info on the processing power of the PS2 as applied to computational chemistry.
    Basically, this study shows the PS2 has roughly the computational linear algebra power of a PIII-600 (the then fastest processor on the market).

  2. Re:Is this legal? by JohnCub · · Score: 5, Informative
    Sony sells the linux kit for ps2. So I'm guessing they are saying it is ok to put linux on your ps2.

    http://www.us.playstation.com/hardware/more/SCPH -9 7047.asp
    Linux (for PlayStation®2)
    The Linux kit (for PlayStation 2) allows you to use the versatility of the GNU Linux operating system with the power of your PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system as a fully functional desktop computer!

    • The Linux Kit (for PlayStation 2) includes:
    • Linux Kit (for PlayStation 2) release 1.0 software
    • Monitor Cable Adaptor (for PlayStation 2) (with Audio Connectors)
    • Internal Hard Disk Drive (40 GB) (for PlayStation 2)
    • Network Adaptor (Ethernet) (for PlayStation 2) [10/100 Base-T]
    • USB Keyboard (for PlayStation 2) & USB Mouse (for PlayStation 2)


    ~$200
    --
    -= Why can't I add 'Anonymous Coward' to my list of Foes? =-
  3. Re:It's the trend of the future by afidel · · Score: 4, Informative

    The big problem with using PC graphics cards is that the memory bandwidth on the AGP bus leading back to the system is abysmal. I know several groups looked into this when the Geforce 3 came out and suddenly we had a high speed low cost programmable vector processor, the result was that unless your application could return relativly small datasets you weren't going to get much performance out of them. I think a PS2 would be similarly hampered by the small amount of ram available, not many interesting datasets would fit in it.

    --
    There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
  4. You don't exist by shepd · · Score: 4, Informative

    At least not on the internet.

    Nein for google.

    One EXTREMELY LAME hit from deja. Surprisingly, the sig is identical.

    Until you show some credentials (as in a link to nintendo's site, with a page with AT LEAST your name on it), you don't exist.

    In fact, it appears your department doesn't exist.

    Heck, where's your thesis, at least?

    I find it neat, though, that you went from being Head of New Technology Research at SEGA straight to being Head of New Technology Research at Nintendo. More amazing, though, is that both companies have exactly the same departments!

    More interesting:

    <sgupta@research.sega.jp>:
    Sorry, I couldn't find any host named research.sega.jp. (#5.1.2)

    Look, provide me a page at nintendo.co.jp with your name on it, and everything will be sorted out.

    Otherwise, this is:

    Bill Gates,
    Microsoft Founder
    Redmond

    Signing off.

    --
    If you could be told what you can see or read, then it follows that you could be told what to say or think - BoC