An 8-node, 32-core compute cluster crammed into an 80's style laptop.
RAIN PSP is the next step in the evolution of my RAIN series of personal-sized "supercomputers". Beginning with the original RAIN cluster (a half-rack of HP servers) each generation becomes smaller, uses less power and is overall more suitable for personal use.
The heart of RAIN PSP is the same PINE64 Clusterboard which powered the previous RAIN Personal Supercomputer. This is paired with a stand-alone SBC which serves as a head node/terminal which provides an interface to the nodes of the cluster. These electronics are then placed in a custom 3D printed case inspired by the likes of the GRiD Compass, Tandy 1400, etc.
The case includes a custom hand-wired keyboard and illuminated buttons which provide power/reset control over each node in the cluster as well as status feedback.
Been stuck for awhile on making progress because during one of the HPL runs the system suddenly lost power. Turns out that the barrel connector for the power supply failed, most likely due to overheating.
I have plans to completely replace the power supply (including a battery) and figured I'd just leave this alone until I had that system ready, but it's been over a month now and I'd like to get back to work.
So for now I've decided to work-around the problem by using the ATX connector on the clusterboard to power it, and I've switched to a beefier supply as well so that I can kick these power problems down the road a bit.
This won't be the long-term solution to the problem, but it gets the lights back on for now.
(next step is to print something to cover those exposed mains terminals though...)
I began working on this project in earnest back in October (2021) and I've kept a fairly detailed login the source code repository. I decided to share the project here since it is an evolution of a previous project hosted here on hackaday.io as well.
There's still a lot to do but the project has reached a level of maturity that most of the major components are functional. The notable exception is a portable power supply (i.e., batteries), but the system is useful without them, and I still need to narrow-down exactly what I want to use in the power supply.
Along with the hardware I'm developing a number of programs to make using and managing the cluster simpler.
Absolutely love this, can't wait to see some updates. Cluster capabilities aside, even as just a bespoke portable machine, this is some fantastic work.
Thanks Tom! I've been side-tracked a little by a hardware fault that generated an NMI and sent me off to process other projects but I found a work-around (see latest project log) and I'll be spending more time on this project now.
Absolutely love this, can't wait to see some updates. Cluster capabilities aside, even as just a bespoke portable machine, this is some fantastic work.