What is Cluster Computing?

Simply put, if you need more processing power you need more CPUs. You can get the CPUs from a service provider like TTI. Recently, the industry has used confusing terminology to describe this. Sometimes called "grid computing" or "utility computing", it is simply a way of efficiently utilizing the computational power of many servers (called nodes) for one task. The earliest known term for this is "cluster computing". We use Linux clusters to deliver the processing power. Clusters allow the greatest flexibility for us so that we can deliver the best service to you. Also, unlike grid or utility computing where the nodes can be separated geographically, our nodes are managed in one location - at our facility.

What can clusters be used for?

Just about any application. Typically they are used for computationally intensive problems that require a lot of runtime. Some problems require thousands of CPU hours to complete. Examples of these problems include: Rendering, Modeling, Quantum Mechanics, Bioinformatics, Molecular Dynamics, Statistics, Economics, Genetics, OCR, Fluid Dynamics, data processing and much more.

Does my application need to be designed for a cluster for me to use TTI cluster computing services?

No. Almost any application can be adapted to run on our cluster. A common use for a cluster is data processing. For example, if your workstation takes 10 hours to process your data set, it might take just 1 hour to process the same set using 10 nodes on the TTI cluster. The data is partitioned into 10 smaller units, each cluster node processes one unit. Our service makes it easy to do this.

What do I need to use your service, how do I access the cluster?

You need an executable or source code. We also have a number of compilers available if you need to compile your code. You can also use just about any open source software.

To access the service, you need a Secure Shell (ssh) client. ssh is available free for Windows and comes with most Unix/Linux distributions.

I've never used a cluster before. How do I get help?
We work with you during your free trial period to make your service as easy to use as possible. All our services come with technical support. So, if you are a first-time Linux user or an expert, we want to provide you with hassle-free cluster computing services, so you feel no pressure or obligation.

How do I start?

Apply for a no obligation account. Or give us a call. We'd be happy to discuss your
computing needs.