How to combine multiple motherboards or PCs?

Question

Computer networks

There is an idea: to assemble a computer from several (something like a cluster or the cluster itself). As far as I managed to get acquainted with the answers here and on the Internet in general: either they write it is impossible, or it is possible but not at home, or just meaningless answers like “you are a fool”, “why do you need it, buy a normal computer”, etc.
Ahead of the question why: speed of calculations and versatility.
If this is not possible, then is it possible to do something like this variation: the central processor (distributes the load and tasks) + computing power from all the others (to which the central processor sends tasks).
I know it's written insanely and crazy, but maybe someone who understands can tell? Thanks in advance
PS (I wouldn't want to leave Winda, but if I have to, I won't be too upset).

Answer 1

Yes, you can! For example under Linux.
1) Put a bunch of boards nearby.
2) Connect all the boards through one ethernet switch (preferably 1Gb, better 10Gb, but we have Infiniband)
3) Set the task orchestrator (it all depends on what you want, so there are options), starting from docker / lxc /kvm/kubernets/composer and ending with htcondor (both the latter, and docker, and kvm, and lxc have taken root with us)
4) you can put CEPH on all disks of the motherboard so that tasks migrate quickly and smoothly.
5) The cluster is ready!!!!

Answer 2

There is an idea: to assemble a computer from several (something like a cluster or the cluster itself).

How to combine multiple motherboards or PCs?

So the idea is to combine several motherboards or build a cluster?
They write to you that it is impossible or that you are a fool right - posing the question shows that you do not really understand how even one board works, but are trying to assemble a complex architecture.

Ahead of the question why: speed of calculations and versatility.

These are very simple words. What exactly needs to be calculated? Where are the performance tests that would show that one computer can not cope, and how are you going to parallelize the calculations?
What is multifunctionality in your understanding? So that the computer calculates the number of PI and cooks borscht? Or what exactly is meant?

If this is not possible, then is it possible to do something like this variation: the central processor (distributes the load and tasks) + computing power from all the others (to which the central processor sends tasks).

Here, for example, one of the moments - where does the central processor distribute what? On other motherboards? So computing power is usually provided by the central processor, and not by other motherboards.

I know it's written insanely and crazy, but maybe someone who understands can tell? Thanks in advance

First, try to understand the goal yourself and give clear examples.

PS (I would not want to leave Winda, but if I have to, I won't be very upset).

nu-nu.
Actually, the task of creating a cluster is quite complicated. Not impossible, but requires technical knowledge, architectural understanding. Therefore, it makes no sense to answer a question to a person who cannot even formulate a basic question.
Almost everyone who answers understands well what exactly you are asking, but the bottom line is that your question is not a question, but a vague formulation of an idea, and it is impossible to answer it clearly.

Answer 3

There is NUMA
But I don't know how realistic it is to raise it on consumer computers, and how much it will work with the software that you want to use.
You can also simply combine these computers into one local network and use the distributed computing model. As you described here:

If this is not possible, then is it possible to do something like this variation: the central processor (distributes the load and tasks) + computing power from all the others (to which the central processor sends tasks).

But it all again depends on the software - not every software is suitable for such an architecture (or rather, not everyone will be able to benefit from this at all)

Answer 4

You can merge - there are certainly difficulties, you need a certain software, but you can.
The main question is why?

Ahead of the question why: speed of calculations and versatility.

With the speed will be very low, much lower than one computer.
So why would you need to slow down?
And about the multifunctionality is not entirely clear.

Answer 5

And I'll also throw my slippers.. :) It
's very good to explain similar problems on cars:
Look, you had a MOped, and there was only one task for him - to go to a neighboring city. Let's say we arrived in 5 hours.
Then Toyota Camry appeared, and the journey began to take 2 hours.
Cool, you think! I’ll buy 8 Toyotas and now I’ll get there in 15 minutes! And for multifunctionality - I will also buy 2 mining dump trucks and 4 excavators! And so you get down to business - and overtake all this equipment to a neighboring city, it takes four days (returning back on hitches). Strange, you think, but the moped was much faster!
Until you understand how SPECIFICALLY YOUR task is divided into several performers, and whether it is divided at all (9 women cannot bear one child in 1 month) - there is nothing to set abstract goals for yourself ...