What is Cluster System

Definition: Cluster systems like as parallel systems because both systems use multiple CPUs. But, main difference is that clustered systems are made by two or more individual systems but they are connected with each other. They have independent computer system along with shared storage medium and all systems perform all tasks together. All nodes of clusters implement two different techniques for making communication with each other like as message passing Interface (MPI) and Parallel virtual machine (PVM).

Diagram of Clustered System

Uses of Cluster System

Main goal of using of cluster system is to provide help in weather forecast, scientific computing, and super computing system.

Clustered Systems in Operating System

Cluster Operating systems are mixer of software and hardware clusters. Hardware cluster provides help to share of ultra performance disks in between all computer systems, and Software cluster offers better environment for all system to work together.

Cluster system has several nodes, and they contain individual cluster software. This software helps to monitor entire cluster system. When, any one node of cluster system gets halt, then other nodes manage of its storage system as well as resources, and then you can try to restart this system.

Types of Clustered System

There are primarily three types of cluster system. Below explain each one –

Asymmetric Clustering System: In this cluster system, one node in among of all nodes in the cluster system is getting as hot standby mode, and other left nodes run required needed applications. Hot standby mode is totally safe from failure, and this hot standby node is also part of the cluster system. This node monitors all functions of the server, if any time it gets halt, then hot standby node swaps this position.

Symmetric Clustering System: In this system, multiple nodes help to run all applications, and it monitors all nodes at same time. This cluster system is more reliable compare to asymmetric cluster system because it uses entire hardware resources.

Parallel Cluster System: Parallel cluster system allows to multiple users to access similar data on the common shared storage system. This system is created by special software version and other applications.

Further, Clustered System is divided into three types based on its functionality; Such as-

Load-Balancing Cluster: The cluster needs better ability for getting load balance in between all available computer system. In these types of cluster, all nodes can share their computational workload with other node so to get better overall performance. For example – web based cluster can allot several different web queries for other different nodes so it helps to improve system performance. Few cluster systems implement round robin principle to grab requests.

Fail-Over Clusters: All functions of swapping applications and data resources over from failure system to other ok system in the cluster then it is known as “Fail-Over“. This cluster system is used for cluster database of more crucial circumstances, mail, file, and other application servers.

High-Availability Clusters: This is also called the “HA Clusters“. It helps to improve better availability of cluster system. It contains more extra nodes for using to replace with failure components of cluster system. So, this cluster system gets eliminate one points of failure.

Advantages of Clustered System

There are various benefits of clustered system; below explain each one –

Clustered system provides much better performance for entire system because in which multiple computers are merged with each other, and they perform their tasks as parallel unit.