Project Description
Attack Analyses
Publications
Student Theses
Cluster "Scylla"
Contact
News
July 2003 |
First ideas for a computer cluster (during data analyses for the DDoSVax project) |
20.10.2003 |
KIM (Kommission für Informatik-Mittel) accepts 22 node cluster proposal |
22.1.2004 |
Inauguration of our new 22 node "Scylla" cluster (Athlon 2.8 MHz, 1 GB RAM; Debian) |
1.2.2004 |
Our cluster was shown on the
Swiss
National TV SF1 daily news "Tagesschau"
in a report |
What is “Scylla”?
An experimental research computer cluster of 22 identical nodes and one additional
gateway node, operated by TIK at ETH
Zürich.
This cluster is used for network traffic analysis (DDoSVax), massive distributed
simulations (P2P nodes), experimental kernel installations, Gigabit/s network
testing, and computer security and network related research.
Computer Hardware Configuration
|
22 cluster nodes: |
One single gateway node: |
Why is it named “Scylla”?
In Greek mythology, „Scylla“ was an attractive nymph and a daughter
of Phorcys. One day, the sea-god Glaucis fell passionately in love with her.
However, she rejected him. Therefore, Glaucis asked the sorceress Circe to create
him a love potion. Bad enough, Circe instantly fell in love with Glaucis, who
rejected her.
Filled with jealousy against Scylla, Circe poured a potion of herbs into the
water, where Scylla was bathing in, and then cast her spell. Suddenly, out of
Scylla‘s lower body half six monstrous dog heads grew.
We named the cluster „Scylla“ as the cluster‘s possiblities are
fascinating at first, however controlling it efficiently is a delicate task.
Cables and Networking
 |
In total ca. 260 m of cables, thereof: Networking |
Default Software Installation
- Nodes n01-n22:
Debian Linux 2.4.22 with the openMosix cluster software extension
- Gateway:
Debian Linux 2.4.24; role as Debian-testing mirror for nodes
Software distribution to nodes (from gateway) with FAI
(Fully Automatic Installation):
Boot via Etherboot (floppy), kernel is fetched via tftp from gateway. This allows
simple and individual change of boot kernel of the nodes from the gateway
and
(re-)installation of all nodes in
less than 10 minutes.
The clustering software openMosix
is a Linux kernel extension for single-system image clustering, which turns
a network of ordinary computers into a supercomputer.
Electrical Power Consumption
 |
One node: Full cluster (gateway + 22 nodes): Cluster has its own dedicated |
Hardware Monitoring
- Harddisks failures:
SMART monitoring of the harddisk drive in each node by the gateway; detects HDDs about to fail. - Temperature alerts:
Temperature monitoring of each node by the gateway, and automatic shutdown of individual nodes or the whole cluster in case of overtemperature.
Miscellaneous
- n01 is a test node with remote power switch and serial console
- “Experimental” cluster means that OS installation and software configurations can be changed
- 100 GB persistent data storage/node; a new installation only changes 10
GB system/swap space partition
Cluster Administration and Support
Please contact Arno Wagner.
Links
Inauguration Party
On January 22nd, 2004, the inauguration of the new TIK experimental cluster "Scylla" took place. After a technical presentation, Prof. Dr. Bernhard Plattner, head of the Computer Engineering and Networks Laboratory (TIK) cut the ribbon and switched on the power for our cluster. After all 22 nodes had successfully started and were ready for use, the inaugration was celebrated.
