Question about using older systems together (not networking though)

[matt012]

I was wondering if any of you would know anything about connecting systems together to make an even better computer system. Not networking though, but actually using the processing power together from the different systems. I guess it's just more of a curious question. Perhaps there is some kind of software to use or something. If I could find any information about it, I would sure like to do it. I am able to get a bunch of older AMD K6's. Thanks.

[pop pop]

It's called parallel processing. There's lot's of information out there, but I've never really heard anyone here discuss attempting it.

http://www.google.com/search?q=parallel+processing&sourceid=mozilla-search&start=0&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official

[PrntRhd]

The concept is called Distributed Computing or Grid Computing.
The computer users who allow SETI to process their data on their volunteered PCs are doing distributed computing.
Grid computing uses many identical computers tied together to process big jobs, usually this requires a computer to be used as a manager for the workload doled out to the grid PCs.

[matt012]

Ok. Thanks for the info. I think I might do some research on it and possibly attempt it if I get enough info.

[hiredgoonz]

Comfortable with Linux? There's always Beowulf...

[matt012]

I read that Linux is a good OS to use for doing this. I'll have to try and get a copy of it.

[hiredgoonz]

linuxiso.org

Most distros are free, tons of mirrors (I've found the ones in Germany to be very fast) and there are numerous resources online to learn pretty much anything you want to know...

You'll need a CD burner and, realistically, a broadband connection since most versions use at least 2-3 CDs...