A Method and System for Parallel Operation and Control of Legacy Computer
Clusters is disclosed. Also disclosed is a system that permits the
creation of a cluster computer using the legacy operating systems already
existing on the computing devices. The system is further be able to
seamlessly operate over a standard wide are network, such as the
"Internet," as well as over local area networks. The system further
permits the individual computers to operate either as part of the
cluster, or on local operations, without any need for modification to the
other computers involved in the cluster. Still further, the system
utilizes standard TCP/IP format for all internodal messaging. Finally,
the system maintains performance "grades" for each cluster node, either
by node self-grading, or by node reporting, such that the user can select
which nodes to participate in a particular parallel application.