Microsoft Windows Compute Clusters

Table 5-1 HP Cluster Platform Terminology (continued)
DefinitionWindows Compute Cluster
Term
HP Cluster Platform
Term
The type of communications protocol and link implemented in
an interconnect. See Quadrics, Myricom, Infiniband, and Gigabit
Ethernet.
Only InfiniBand and
Gigabit Ethernet are
supported.
interconnect
technology
A cluster has two internal networks used for low-speed
communication between nodes. See administrative network and
console network.
Windows clusters do not
distinguish a separate
administrative network
and console network
internal network
A rack-integrated workstation (keyboard, video, and mouse)
enabling you to administer the cluster locally when necessary for
tasks such as upgrading firmware and installing software. (You
perform most run-time administration tasks by using a remote
login from a client.)
KVM
An optional multiport (4 or 8) switch that enables you to switch
the connection between the KVM and a utility node.
KVM switch
See external network.LAN
A physical connection between a port on the interconnect and a
port on an HBA that is located in the node's PCI bus.
link
See KVM.local workstation
The internal Ethernet networks are called “low speed” only to
differentiate them from the interconnect's nonblocking high-speed
network. This term is relative, because the Ethernet network
switches used might be fast Gigabit Ethernet.
Windows clusters do not
distinguish a separate
administrative network
and console network
low-speed network
See administrative network.Windows clusters do not
distinguish a separate
administrative network
and console network
management network
A connection or device that is part of the interconnect, enabling
you to connect to it and administer it. You use the control
processor for tasks such as assigning TCP/IP addresses, loading
firmware or running interconnect diagnostics.
management port
A number of components of similar function connected into a
functional unit and installed in a single rack. A module can be a
CBB, IBB, UBB, or UXR.
Windows clusters do not
support utility building
blocks (UBB) or utility
expansion racks (UXR)
module (*BB)
A configuration designed to customer specifications by using
CBBs, IBBs, UBBs, and a single UXR. Modular clusters can be
upgraded (expanded).
Windows clusters do not
support utility building
blocks (UBB) or utility
expansion racks (UXR)
modular cluster
Each node has at least two integrated network interface cards
(NICs). One NIC might be dedicated to the server's console. These
NICs are used for connections to the internal networks.
network interface
card
The architecture of the cluster networks. In HP Cluster Platform
there can be two low-speed networks and one high-speed
network. The connections between any node and these networks
determine their function.
HP Cluster Platform
supports only a subset of
the topologies supported
by Windows Clusters.
network topology
See network interface card.NIC
An individual server, which can be a control node \, an
application node or a utility node.
Head node and compute
node. (Utility nodes are
not supported).
node
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