"A node within a Linux cluster is the basic unit of processing. Typically, it is a server or workstation dedicated to processing information to aid in the massive amounts of number crunching involved in biotech research. With information being processed at such rapid rates, scientists and engineers can devote their time and energy analyzing the information processed by the Linux clusters, not waiting or worrying about speedy or accurate results. Although some traditional supercomputer programs must be adapted for clusters, this investment is attractive for two reasons.

First, nodes consist of readily available off-the-shelf components with commodity pricing. Most users of Linux clusters benchmark a price/performance improvement that is literally 10 times better than other traditional alternatives. Second, the Linux operating system and cluster management software both allow clusters to scale from four processors to several hundred. Users can take advantage of the scalability of Linux clusters to grow their system as demand warrants. The scalability and price/performance ratio of clustering allows program managers to economically add nodes as needed without changing software programs.

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