To configure and operate a Dolphin cluster you need to select one computer to be the management/front-end node. The front-end node will automatically manage and configure all adapter cards or switches based on configuration files created on the front-end.
The front-end can be one of the nodes in the cluster or it can be a separate machine. The front-end node will communicate with the cluster nodes through Ethernet. The burden of the front-end is very modest.
The front-end computer needs to have a graphical display to be able to utilize the dishostseditor configuration editor GUI and the sciadmin cluster management GUI. The front-end does not need to run the same operating system as the cluster. Windows, Linux and Solaris is currently supported for running the front-end software.
It is possible to both use Windows and Linux to manage a Linux cluster (or a Linux box to manage a Windows cluster).
Please note that there is no need to manually configure the adapter cards in the cluster as this will be done automatically by the front-end.
SCI clusters using the 2D or 3D Torus topology (e.g. D334, D352, D346 Adapter cards) will automatically benefit from automatically rerouting and avoid single point of failures if they are installed according to this installation guide.
Manual installation and configuration is also possible, but not covered by this installation manual. Please email pci-support@dolphinics.com for more information.
Please visit the various sub-pages in the Installation guide for more information.