A better way to deploy & manage HPC clusters

Web-based management interface for access anywhere
While command line savvy users can continue using the command line interface, Platform Cluster Manager also includes a web-based management interface that make it easy to install and manage an HPC cluster. Because it is web-based, no client software installation is required in order to manage the cluster from a workstation, PC, laptop, or mobile device.

The easy to use interface saves the cluster administrator time and ensures that users do not need to become experts in managing the software, as they would with multiple open-source software components. With Platform Cluster Manager administrators can enjoy the best of both worlds – easy access to a powerful, web-based cluster manager without the need to learn and separately administer all the tools needed to manage an HPC cluster environment.

Operational dashboard for simplified administration
One of the key features of the web-based interface is an operational dashboard that provides a comprehensive set of administrative tools. With this capability, Platform Cluster Manager enables administrators to monitor and report on key performance metrics such as cluster capacity, available memory and CPU utilization. This makes it easy for administrators to identify and troubleshoot potential issues.

Perform risk-free software upgrades
Using repository snapshots, which are “restore points” for the entire cluster, Platform Cluster Manager provides a simple and risk-free mechanism for performing software upgrades on the entire cluster. Administrators can take a snapshot of a known good repository, make changes to their environment, and easily revert to a previous repository in the event of an unforeseen problem. With other cluster managers this may mean having to re-install the entire cluster. Platform Cluster Manager enables administrators rapidly “rollback” to a known good state without having to re-install the entire cluster, taking the risk out of cluster upgrades.

Update cluster nodes “on the fly”
Platform Cluster Manager simplifies administration and increases cluster availability by allowing dynamic changes on the cluster nodes. New package installations, patch updates, and changes to configuration files can be propagated to the cluster nodes automatically without the need to re-install cluster nodes. Other cluster management solutions require that nodes be re-booted when updating software, regardless of how minor the change. For common activities such as package and patch installations, Platform Cluster Manager can transparently synchronize files to cluster nodes without any downtime.

Flexible provisioning
In addition to performing simple package-based installations, Platform Cluster Manager supports image-based installs, allowing cluster nodes to be rapidly “cloned” while also providing support for diskless nodes. Multiple operating system versions can be deployed concurrently to the same cluster.

Based on job resource requirements, Platform Cluster Manager will dynamically boot the Linux or Windows operating system required to run the job. The web interface can also be used to manually switch nodes to the required OS to meet application demands, providing administrators with the flexibility to support special requests and accommodate unanticipated changes.

Advanced HPC tools
Platform Cluster Manager provides the most advanced suite of HPC infrastructure components, including libraries that are pre-optimized for vendor hardware and networking components. A range of industry standard, pre-tuned MPI implementations, making it easy to get parallel applications up and running quickly. Once the application is provisioned to all of the nodes, standard benchmark tests ensure the cluster will deliver the best possible performance.

Fully supported by Platform Computing
Platform Cluster Manager is the result of a close and long-standing engineering collaboration with Platform’s software and system partners. With a focus on quality and platform certification, Platform Computing and our partners jointly provide outstanding support on a 24 x 7 basis.

To learn more:
Platform Cluster Manager data sheet	Services and Support options