hi i'm a linux n00b and i am constantly wondering whether it is possible to use a cluster program on my linux comp and conect it to my mac using Xgrid

Inorder to cluster, you must have the same kernel running on both the machines. You can boot both the computers using ClusterKnoppix and then run POVRay or whatever. The best part being about ClusterKnoppix being that many proggys such as Blender, POVRay, Kandel, MPI etc are preinstalled. Also as it uses the openMosix kernel, clustering couldnt be easier.

In short you probably cant connect ur mac and pc together and make a cluster, if they are using different OS'es or even kernel's for that matter.

That is unless, you use SETI@home type implementation, with one master allocating work to clients(slaves).

thanx - i'll see if i can find a SETI@home type of implementation - i know a couple of good search engines that can find just about anything

One option is to use Condor (condor website), it runs al almost all OS's and you can use almost all programs with it.
Only problem is it requires some learning on how to setup your network (needs a central manager and nodes to run jobs on, which can also be the central manager).

It's not an easy task, but it's doable

thnx -- i just have a bunch of moderately old comps lying around and would love to link them up to reach there potential

I have not tried it but there are several webpages that show how to do it. There is a xgrid client for linux that is java based. Then you need to be able to compile the program you want to run for OSX and linux, etc. You then have to write scripts that will run on each machine and determine which operating system they are running on and copy the right executable to run.


A rather old example of how to do it can be found at http://unu.novajo.ca/simple/archives/000026.html