Book Review: Building Clustered Linux Systems

The author of Building Clustered Linux Systems declares that the purpose of the book is “to encourage you to build a cluster and to help you do so”. And indeed, the chapters of the book adhere to this goal. The book starts by defining the term “cluster” and comparing clustered systems to SMP systems. Subsequently, the book deals with the hardware components and architecture of clusters. Networking basics are explained–TCP/IP protocols such as ARP, IPv4 and IPv6; switches; virtual LANS; and more–as a preliminary to the subsequent discussion of cluster network control.