Cluster is an English word that, in Portuguese, means “agglomeration” or “agglomeration”. In the context of information technology, it denominates a system architecture capable of combining several computers as if they were just one, and may also refer to the group itself of combined computers.
This type of system architecture began to be used in 1960, by the North American giant IBM. Since then, it has undergone constant renovations, but the objective is still practically the same: to increase efficiency in carrying out simple or complex tasks and optimize the use of resources according to the purpose.
For that, several computers are integrated into a single system, acting together in the accomplishment of the tasks. Each machine is called a “ Node ” or “ Node ” and there is no limit to how many nodes can be added.
Likewise, there are no limitations on the hardware configurations that can be integrated into the system. This means machines of different types can form a Cluster without any problems.
In the following article, you learn about clusters and different types of Clusters, and why this system architecture is so important. Check out!
Types of cluster
There is no single type of cluster. In fact, this type of system architecture can be assembled in many different ways to meet different demands and purposes. If a company’s goal is to keep its network always up.
For companies that require very good performance for processing ultra-robust tasks, the High-Performance type can be mounted. Thus, it is possible to achieve different goals from this type of system.
Below, you know in detail these and other types of clusters that can be implemented according to the demands of the business. Keep following and find out!
Load Balancing
Load Balancing is a cluster structure that aims at the total distribution of tasks. Completely united, it’s as if all computers did the work of a single machine.
With this configuration, even if one of the computers fails, the system remains fully functional. Just remove it and the tasks are automatically redistributed among the others. However, performance will obviously be reduced.
An example of this type of cluster is server towers or web server farms.
Failover or High Availability
High Availability clusters, also called Failover, are implemented with the aim of keeping the critical application of a business always available, no matter what. Very common in e-mail services, in this model, there is a complex redundancy system invisible to the user.
As the idea here is to keep the application up and running, no matter what happens to a node, the entire system needs to keep working. Thus, a check is made continuously on all nodes and, whenever one of them fails, there is another one with the same characteristics and resources to replace it immediately.
In this way, the application is never impacted or goes offline and this change is made without any reflection for the user. It is also possible to protect more than one application with this type of cluster.
High Performance
As its name implies, the purpose of Cluster High Performance is performance, the scaling of processing power. For this, several high-performance nodes are combined and the tasks are broken down into simpler parts so that each one of them does its part.
In this way, ultra-complex demands can be processed much faster and more efficiently. And the best: for a cost much lower than what would be spent on a supercomputer or powerful hardware.
Parallel processing
In parallel cluster processing, the operation is similar: complex tasks are divided into smaller and simpler tasks and the nodes are responsible for processing them in parallel. Thus, you gain in efficiency. performance and quality.
However, the applicability of this type of cluster is aimed at ultra-robust tasks. NASA, for example, makes use of such types to solve mega-complex problems, such as particle simulations, etc…
Combined models
In some cases, a company’s needs may require more than one type of cluster. In email services, for example, it is not possible to prioritize performance over evaluability or vice versa. Both are important and need to be present.
Thus, two cluster models can be combined so that the demands are met. In this case, Load Balancing and High Performance are integrated together, with a redundancy system to avoid falls.
Importance of a Cluster?
A Cluster is important for a number of reasons. The first is, of course, the processing power that is possible with this type of system architecture. Because it is equal to or superior to mainframe computers and other forms of supercomputers available on the market.
Then comes the great cost-benefit that a cluster provides. That’s because the cost to implement and maintain a cluster, be it of any type, is lower than the expenses with mainframe computers and others. Thus, it is possible to obtain more processing power at a lower cost.
Another big reason is the enormous scalability that a cluster can offer. As the business demand grows, it is possible to add more nodes to the system and thus supply it without problems.
Finally, we have the enormous applicability of this type of system architecture. With it, it is possible to efficiently address the most diverse problems and objectives, from the simplest to the most complex. Likewise, companies of all sizes can invest in a cluster and make the most of its benefits.
Thanks for reading this article by ExtNext, hope you will learn something about clusters and their importance.
