TITLE: Introduction to Distributed computing using Beowulf Clusters in a Windows Environment
SPEAKER: Louis Slabbert (Middlesex University)

ABSTRACT:
When most people think about cluster computing the images of large Linux server deployments with complicated software configurations comes to mind.
In this introductory talk I will however discuss a technology group of clusters called "Beowulf clusters” which enables the creating simple to manage clusters which still can achieve sufficient results for complex research problems, all while using commodity and easily available computing resources already deployed in organisations.
I will cover some of the history of clusters at Middlesex University and the difference between clusters and cloud computing because they are often mistaken for each other.

Other points that will be covered are the software that is currently available on Linux and Windows as well as a quick demonstration of alternative ways of thinking about cluster computing implementations.