What is a Cluster?

Cluster computing is the result of connecting many local computers (nodes) together via a high speed connection to provide a single shared resource. Its distributed processing system allows complex computations to run in parallel as the tasks are shared among the individual processors and memory. Applications that are capable of utilizing cluster systems break down the large computational tasks into smaller components that can run in serial or parallel across the cluster systems, enabling a dramatic improvement in the time required to process large problems and complex tasks.

Bioinformatics services

Tufts GIS Center

Research Storage

PlanetLab is a global research network that supports the development of new network services. Since the beginning of 2003, more than 1,000 researchers at top academic institutions and industrial research labs have used PlanetLab to develop new technologies for distributed storage, network mapping, peer-to-peer systems, distributed hash tables, and query processing.

PlanetLab currently consists of 1353 nodes at 717 sites including Tufts University.

What is XSEDE? The Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment (XSEDE), funded by the NSF (National Science Foundation) is the next generation replacement for TeraGrid. The goal is to provide access to super computer resources for US based researchers as well as expand into new avenues such as research collaboration. Training, Education, and Outreach are a significant component of Xsede and there are many fantastic resources available.