Let's Build a 28-Core Raspberry Pi Cluster

Re:Let's Build a 28-Core Raspberry Pi Cluster by sxp on Tuesday August 11, 2020 @10:46PM (#24128124)

A slightly cheaper option would be to get a bunch of Pi Zero W devices. They're $10 + SDcards. They would rely on WiFi which might be acceptable if the use case allows having a few dozen radios chattering next to each other. If not, then a $5 Pi Zero + $5-10 ethernet adapter might work.

Since the goal isn't to achieve maximum performance, the slow CPU & RAM (comparable to a 20th century desktop) might not be an issue. And the lower price would allow more devices so you could test more complex configurations and server management options.

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Re:Let's Build a 28-Core Raspberry Pi Cluster by rcarmo on Wednesday August 12, 2020 @03:10AM (#24129349)

Zeros are borderline unusable for actual compute due to having a single core and only half a gig or RAM. They make for great beefy microcontrollers and single-purpose boards, but are not the kind of thing where you want to run various network services.

(I have a cluster running Pi 2s, which have 4 cores apiece, but are still too short on RAM)

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Re:Let's Build a 28-Core Raspberry Pi Cluster by ikaruswill on Wednesday August 12, 2020 @12:28AM (#24128603)

I actually have had a cluster of Raspberry Pi 1Bs before this current cluster. Though the specs are very much similar to a Zero W, the performance wasn't great.

I agree that it would cost much less, but I would also get much less utility out of it. At this point, the cluster is doing quite a lot, even the site itself is hosted on it.

My point here is that having room for future utility at not much additional cost, would be best.

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Re:Let's Build a 28-Core Raspberry Pi Cluster by numpad0 on Wednesday August 12, 2020 @12:02AM (#24128490)

Zero/Zero W at $5/$10 are promotional price, for first unit per person only. For second unit and after you have to order case kits or other high(positive) margin options.

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