Compute Nodes
In a Scyld cluster, the master node controls booting, provisioning, and operation of the compute nodes. You do not need to explicitly install Scyld ClusterWare on the compute nodes.
Scyld recommends configuring your compute nodes to boot via PXE and using the auto-activate node options, so that each node can automatically join the cluster as it powers on. Nodes do not need to be added manually, unless your compute nodes are incapable of PXE booting. If your private network interface doesn't support PXE booting, or if for some reason you don't want to use PXE, you may create compute node disks.
You can boot and configure your compute nodes using the procedure outlined here. See the Chapter called Installation of the Compute Nodes for more detailed instructions and additional information for users who want more control over how compute nodes are configured and added to the cluster.
If you are not already logged in as root, log into the master node using the root username and password.
Optional step: To get a graphical view of the nodes as they join the cluster, start the BeoSetup tool. Click the BeoSetup icon on your desktop or enter beosetup in a terminal window.
An alternative to using BeoSetup is to enter the command bpstat -U in a terminal window on the master node to view a continuously updated table of node status information.
Set the BIOS on each compute node to boot either via PXE or via the physical medium you have chosen. Using the auto-activate option with PXE booting allows each node to automatically boot and join the cluster as it powers on.
Node numbers are initially assigned in order of connection with the master node. Boot the compute nodes by powering them up in the order you want them to be numbered, typically one-by-one from the top of a rack downwards (or from the bottom up). You can reorder nodes later as desired; see the Administrator's Guide.
If you have BeoSetup open, it will list the compute nodes by node number and Ethernet station or Media Access Control (MAC) addresses.
The nodes transition through the boot phases. As the nodes join the cluster and are ready for use, they will be shown as "Up" by BeoSetup (if open) or in your terminal window if you used bpstat -U.
The cluster is now fully operational with disk-less compute nodes. See the Chapter called Cluster Verification Procedures for more about bpstat and node states.