Cluster computing is a type of cooperative computing that utilizes a group of computers, called nodes, that function as a single computer or system. This type of computing provides high availability and high fault tolerance for applications or services. Three principle features usually provided by cluster computing are availability, scalability and simplification. Availability is provided by the cluster of computers operating as a single system by continuing to provide services even when one of the individual computers is lost due to a hardware failure or other reason. Scalability is provided by the inherent ability of the overall system to allow new components, such as computers, to be assed as the overall system's load is increased. The simplification comes from the ability of the cluster to allow administrators to manage the entire group as a single system. This greatly simplifies the management of groups of systems and...