Matrix Cluster

!! Overview Matrix is our own small computing cluster here at WSU. The machines are running CentOS 6.2 with the EUCALYPTUS platform installed.

!! Network Information Domain Name:  matrix.worcester.edu

Neo is the main node and matrix.worcester.edu resolves to Neo's IP address.


 * Neo: CLC & Walrus
 * Morpheus: CC & SC ??? TBD
 * Trinity: NC
 * Tank: NC
 * Dozer: NC
 * Mouse: NC
 * Apoc: NC
 * Cypher: NC
 * Switch: NC

All NCs are on their own subnet. Trinity is also a router and DHCP server for the NCs.


 * border=1 width=20%
 * !Hostname ||!IP Address ||!OS Installed  ||!SSH Enabled  ||
 * Neo      || 10.15.15.10 || Yes           || Yes          ||
 * Morpheus || 10.15.15.11 || Yes           || Yes          ||
 * Trinity  || 10.15.15.12 || Yes           || Yes          ||
 * Tank     || 192.168.1.13 || Yes           || Yes          ||
 * Dozer    || 192.168.1.14 || Yes           || Yes          ||
 * Mouse    || 192.168.1.15 || Yes           || Yes          ||
 * Apoc     || 192.168.1.16 || Yes           || Yes          ||
 * Cypher   || 192.168.1.17 || Yes           || Yes          ||
 * Switch   || 192.168.1.18 || Yes           || Yes          ||

A visual representation of our cluster: [| Visual Representation]

!!Install information

IP: 10.15.15.X/255.255.0.0 \\ Gateway: 10.15.1.1 \\ Nameserver: 10.13.1.25 or 10.13.1.31

URL for install images: http://mirror.centos.org/centos/6.2/os/x86_64/

!!Infrastructure Update Log:

2/22/12: Synced all nodes in cluster to utilize same NTP server to have identical times. This is a requirement for the Eucalyptus     software to install correctly.Added to the node Neo the repositories to the nightly build for Eucalyptus.

2/27/12: Everyone now has a sense of the Eucalyptus infrastructure after an in class brief ran by Dave. We are now working on compiling Eucalyptus. The physical server infrastructure is currently being debated as we look into the need to add a DHCP server into the mix as part of our cluster. Dave is currently working on straightening out dependency, and repository issues to compile Eucalyptus on the CLC which is the node Neo.

3/5/12: Discovered head node Neo requires a replacement system fan. We have been experiencing intermittent downtime while trying to SSH from offsite locations to continue working on the nodes. We will be contacting IT to track down a replacement fan to get Neo back to 24/7 online status. Our goal is by this update log next week is to have a running node controller to have a minimum setup of Eucalyptus running.

3/12/12: Due to hardware issues with Neo, and Dave's progress with the the other nodes we discovered that we would have to revert to an older version of CentOS (5.8) instead of our current cluster CentOS 6.1. Due to further issues with the lack of support for virtual machines on the older hardware we are unable to really continue with the current hardware (most likely.) This week we are reverting to CentOS 5.8 in an effort to help work around the issue and will try to get a small cluster up in the meantime with this 5.8 build while we wait for new hardware to arrive.

3/15/12: 9 Dell Optiplex 740s with AMD Athlon 64x2 processors have arrived. They have been put into the rack, and connected to power. They need CentOS 6.2 installed. They are not yet wired for network, or for the KVM switch. Since they do not use PS2 mouse/keyboard, the rackmount keyboard and trackball cannot be used. The rackmount monitor can be used, but I have not been able to figure out how to get the KVM switch to recognize the new machines. I have ordered an 8th SIP module for the KVM, and am ordering PS2-USB adaptors so that we can use the rackmount keyboard and trackball. In the meantime, a usb mouse and keyboard will have to be connected to each machine. - KRW

3/17/12: All 9 machines are set up, have CentOS 6.2 installed, and ssh enabled. To access them in the server room, you must plug in a USB keyboard, and the monitor to the back of the machine you wish to access.

The biggest problem to be resolved was getting the message "Not enough memory to load specified image" when booting off the CD. When the "boot:" prompt comes up, hit enter to get the menu. Hit TAB to specify options, and add mem=2g as an option. The installer will then boot properly.

Things that still need to be done:
 * Set NTP servers on all machines (fixed)
 * Clean up the cabling (fixed)
 * Get the KVM switch working again. This will have to wait for the arrival of the SIP module, and the PS2-USB adapters (scheduled for Monday) (additional compatibility issues)
 * Chain a second KVM switch so we can access all the machines.

4/9/12: All 9 machines have had the NTP server's synced, cable management has been done and labelled properly. The KVM Switch has compatibility issues with the PS2-USB adapters due to possible power issues? This is a small problem because we can SSH into all machines to any necessary work. However, a snag was hit last week with the bios level support of virtualization. However, we were able to flash the bios with an updated version and repaired the issue. Currently we have an issue with the network issue regarding assignment of IP address's within our cluster.