Microsoft Windows Compute Clusters

Figure 2-1 Two-Network Topology
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The following cluster features are shown in Figure 2-1:
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Site local area network (LAN) connection.
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LAN network, connected to a network interface card (NIC) installed (or embedded) in the
cluster's head node.
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The server designated as the head node (control node in HP Cluster Platform terminology).
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NIC dedicated to the LAN network.
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Connection to the server's management interface, a dedicated hardware interface that listens
for, and executes commands received via the Ethernet network. This card is also known as
the management processor (MP), or integrated lights-out (iLO) card, depending on the model
of server. Where supported by the operating environment, this connection is used for server
hardware management functions, such as power-off or boot.
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NIC dedicated to the Message Passing Interface (MPI).
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Compute nodes.
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Common Gigabit Ethernet network, used both for MPI traffic, and for in-band job
management, and cluster administrative functions.
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Gigabit Ethernet switch, used as the system interconnect.
Figure 2-2 shows a topology based on a dedicated MPI fabric. This might be built around Gigabit
Ethernet or InfiniBand. A second Ethernet network provides routing for cluster administrative,
and job management traffic. A third network is provided via the site LAN connection.
14 Understanding Supported Cluster Configurations