20.1. Frequently Asked Questions

PlumpOS is a mini linux distribution aimed at an easy way to add nodes to an openMosix cluster without a lot of work or even thought. The original idea came from (and current development is inspired by) ClumpOS, the now deceased project by Jean-David Marrow with a very similar goal for MOSIX clusters.

The first reason to use PlumpOS is to try out openMosix clusters in a simple and convenient fashion. The second reason is to add nodes to an existing cluster without a lot of work. PlumpOS is in no way a replacement for enterprise clusters nor does it strive to be some kind of super duper cluster project; it merely presents a quick and easy way to turn your average 586+ PC into another node for your cluster.

From a developer's standpoint it's somewhat difficult but to the common user it's quite simple: simply burn an ISO with all the required files on it, pop it into a computer's CDROM drive, boot up the PC (making sure there's a working network card and cable installed) and there you have one more computer to distribute load/forked processes to. Because it's a child/slave node, you have to already have an openMosix box up and running to run tasks for PlumpOS computers to process. Without a master node, PlumpOS is pretty useless. That computer or some other network device must already be serving DHCP addresses or you'll find yourself configuring all your PlumpOS nodes by hand (which won't make for a happy network administrator - but then again that's why we have junior admins ^_^). Also, make sure you have the openMosix autodiscovery daemon (aka omdiscd) running on your master node. The autodiscovery daemon can be found into openMosix's userspace-tools package.

Well, for PlumpOS specific help you should join the PlumpOS mailing list at http://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/plumpos-general and ask a question (that wasn't answered on this FAQ) or go to irc.freenode.net #PlumpOS. For openMosix related questions you should join the openMosix-general or openMosix-devel mailing list at http://openmosix.sourceforge.net/mailing.html or visit irc.freenode.net #openMosix.

The official PlumpOS homepage is at http://PlumpOS.sourceforge.net/. You will find updated versions of this document there, as well as updated news, info, etc.

Yes, but not to worry: no halibuts were harmed in the making of the logo. The halibut was found deceased on an ice drift after having suffered a heart attack. Also, any resemblance the halibut may have to another operating system's mascot of choice is purely coincidental.