| Scyld ClusterWare HPC: Administrator's Guide | ||
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Scyld ClusterWare includes the BeoSetup cluster configuration tool, a graphical front-end for simplifying installation and control of the compute nodes in the cluster. Running BeoSetup isn't required for adding compute nodes; they will join the cluster by default. However, running BeoSetup as you initially power on the compute nodes gives you a graphical view of the nodes as they join the cluster.
BeoSetup is a thin layer over the underlying cluster functionality, not the cluster interface itself. Every operation that BeoSetup performs and every status that it reports is available from the command line, using scripts and with a library interface. Most of the configuration settings are written to the configuration file /etc/beowulf/config. Many of the actions, such as generating a boot floppy, report the command and options used to accomplish the task.
BeoSetup may be run by any user to monitor cluster node state, run commands, and read node logs; however, the full functionality is available only to the "root" user. When you start this tool as a user other than "root", you are asked for the root password. If you don't supply it, functionality is limited. For this reason, Scyld recommends running BeoSetup as "root".
Following are common cluster administrative tasks that can be performed with BeoSetup, with references to the relevant sections of this chapter where details can be found:
Run BeoSetup with full or limited privileges; see Starting BeoSetup.
Check a node's state; see The Configured Nodes List.
Manually add a new node to the cluster; see The Unknown Addresses List and The Configured Nodes List.
Change a node's state between on-line and off-line, or remove a node from the cluster; see The Configured Nodes List.
Create an etherboot floppy for booting a compute node; see Node Floppy.
Create an etherboot CD for booting a compute node; see Node CD.
Change the kernel command line options used when booting a compute node; see Config Boot Options and The Kernel Command Line.
Determine the node ordering of your cluster; see Numbering Your Cluster Nodes.
Ignore the boot request from a compute node; see The Ignored Addresses List.
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