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The Cluster Agenda™
Taking clusters to the next level
Agenda (n): A list or program of things to be done or considered
Computational Clusters have grown from a back room curiosity to a driving force in the HPC community. The roll your own nature of cluster computing has also created a wide community of users, vendors, and applications. The Cluster Agenda is an effort to catalog and identify the many separate components of the cluster community. We believe that, just like a cluster, when the components are properly assembled and understood, amazing things can be accomplished. The Agenda is intended to be a yearly snapshot of the community conversation that will help guide users, vendors, and new-comers to the next level of cluster computing.
As part of the community, you are invited to join this effort.
The Deliverable
Our goal is to produce a freely available document, called "The Cluster Agenda", which will be a Road Map of where we have been (best practices) and where we are going (Cluster Challenges). Used as a guide, the Agenda will benefit both existing and new cluster community members. The Agenda Initiative in not an effort to introduce standards or pick winners. It a document for the community by the community.
We plan on releasing the first yearly snapshot at SC06 in Tampa.
Project Scope
The word cluster has many meanings. The Cluster Agenda is clearly focused on computational or High Performance Computing (HPC) Clusters. The Agenda is open to any input the community thinks will help cluster computing grow and flourish.
There are two main components:
- The Road Map - a compendium of current products, technologies, methods, best practices, etc. that will help those interested in clustering.
- Cluster Challenges - a collection of user identified challenges that need special focus from the community.
How You Can Contribute To The Conversation
We have prepared a description of The Agenda Process. The process is designed to address the main issues facing the community. This process is designed to be ongoing. We invite you to read the invitations and questions, and review the process, then supply your input through this form. You may elect to get update email about the agenda as well by using the form.
We invite all community members to help in creating the Agenda. Contributing to the Agenda is quite easy. Please go to either:
- The Road Map section and add your experience or expertise to specific areas.
- The Cluster Challenges section and add your experience in an area that is currently challanging the community.
Contributors must register. Our Privacy Policy is very clear and we will not use names or email for any purpose other than for the Agenda. For editing tips (it is really quite easy) you can check this page . We also have an Attribution Page where you can add your name as a contributor.
Questions About Clusters
If you have specific questions about clusters please visit our Cluster Questions section of the Road Map and enter your question.
The Cluster Agenda Working Committee
The current Working Committee is Jeff Layton, Glen Otero, Dan Stanzione, and Douglas Eadline. You may contact the Working committee through the submission form.
History
As many of you are aware, ClusterWorld magazine, the initial sponsor of the Cluster Agenda, has ceased publication. As editor of ClusterWorld magazine, Douglas Eadline had been the principle organizer of the Agenda effort. Now that he and the core columnists from ClusterWorld have established the Cluster Monkey website, they have decided to continue with the Agenda Initiative as well. The Agenda Wiki is the first step in the process. We have reset the schedule to accommodate these changes.