What is Cluster Computing?


Cluster computing defines several computers linked on a network and implemented like an individual entity. Each computer that is linked to the network is known as a node.

Cluster computing provides solutions to solve difficult problems by providing faster computational speed, and enhanced data integrity. The connected computers implement operations all together thus generating the impression like a single system (virtual device). This procedure is defined as the transparency of the system.

Advantages of Cluster Computing

The advantages of cluster computing are as follows −

  • Cost-Effectiveness − Cluster computing is considered to be much more costeffective. These computing systems provide boosted implementation concerning the mainframe computer devices.

  • Processing Speed − The processing speed of cluster computing is validated with that of the mainframe systems and other supercomputers demonstrate around the globe.

  • Increased Resource Availability − Availability plays an important role in cluster computing systems. Failure of some connected active nodes can be simply transformed onto different active nodes on the server, providing high availability.

  • Improved Flexibility − In cluster computing, better description can be updated and improved by inserting unique nodes into the current server.

Types of Cluster Computing

The types of cluster computing are as follows −

High Availability (HA) and Failover Clusters

These cluster models generate the availability of services and resources in an uninterrupted technique using the system’s implicit redundancy. The basic term of Cluster is that if a node declines, then applications and services can be made available to different nodes. These methods of clusters deliver as the element for critical missions, mails, documents, and application servers.

Load Balancing Clusters

This cluster allocates all the incoming traffic/requests for resources from nodes that run the equal programs and machines. In this cluster model, some nodes are answerable for tracking orders, and if a node declines, therefore the requests are distributed amongst all the nodes available. Such a solution is generally used on web server farms.

HA & Load Balancing Clusters

This cluster model associates both cluster features, resulting in boost availability and scalability of services and resources. This kind of cluster is generally used for email, web, news, and FTP servers.

Distributed & Parallel Processing Clusters

This cluster model boosts availability and implementation for applications that have huge computational tasks. A large computational task has been divided into smaller tasks and distributed across the stations. Such clusters are generally used for numerical computing or financial analysis that needs high processing power.

Updated on: 17-Nov-2021

17K+ Views

Kickstart Your Career

Get certified by completing the course

Get Started
Advertisements