MDCS Homogeneous cluster configuration

The MDCS system requirements state a homogeneous cluster configuration is recommended. Does the head node (Job Manager node) count as being part of the cluster configuration if it runs no workers?

In other words, is it recommended that the head node also be homogeneous with the worker nodes? Or, is it only important that the worker nodes be homogenous?

For instance, can I have a job manager node running on OS X, while all the worker nodes are running Linux (on identical computers) and use matlabpool?

Answer 1

[Edric Ellis]

It's really about the workers - there are some constraints from the MPI library we use (MPICH2) about the operating systems and "bitness" (32/64 bit) of the worker processes. Also, you may find that if you're running stuff in parallel, you may be constrained by the performance of your worst machine - so it's usually best if the machines are of similar performance.