UKM C2M: A cluster control system for cluster computer developed using opensource software

Computational clusters have become a dominant platform for a wide range of applications in scientific disciplines, engineering and commerce. This is due to their low cost, high performance, availability of off-the-shelf hardware components and freely accessible software tools that can be used for developing cluster applications. To manage, monitor and administer all the nodes in a cluster environment, a specific system known as Cluster Control System (CCS) is required. Even though there are numerous systems available, most of it are developed specifically for in-house use such as scientific research or commercial purpose. In this paper, we discuss a prototype and architecture of UKM Cluster Control and Management (UKM C²M) system that we developed using open source software. The UKM C²M has six modules namely a switch manager, program manager, report manager, user manager and administrator manager. This module allows an administrator to manage, monitor and administrate all the nodes in the cluster concurrently and effectively. The main purpose of developing UKM C²M is to provide a lightweight system for managing clusters effectively. In this work, we included a report manager that is not available in many CCS to keep track, collect and generate node information continuously for later retrieval. These information can be archived in secondary storage or printed as a hardcopy. The overall design of UKM C²M is described and the details on each of the six modules is presented in this paper.