How do you set up an Abaqus HPC cluster?

To set up an Abaqus High-Performance Computing (HPC) cluster, follow these steps:

• Begin with a Beowulf cluster configuration, which typically includes one master node and multiple slave nodes. For a budget setup, you can use outdated dual-core machines, a monitor switcher, and a network switch.
• Choose Linux as the operating system for cost efficiency. Ensure that the master node can access the slaves, typically via SSH remote login. No additional prerequisites are needed before installing Abaqus, as it handles file sharing and MPI processes internally.
• Install Abaqus on the master node and all slave nodes. Abaqus comes with its own MPI (message passing interface) library, so you do not need to use the open-source version. The MPI library is essential for parallel processing and must be installed as part of the Abaqus API on every node.
• To run Abaqus on the cluster, submit a job with more cores than the master has locally. This will distribute the computational load across the slave nodes.
• Edit the environment file on the master node to specify which computers Abaqus can use and the number of cores available on each. This step is crucial for Abaqus to recognize the cluster configuration.

Remember, while building an HPC cluster on a budget is possible, the performance may be limited by the hardware capabilities. The complexity of setting up the cluster depends on your willingness to research and experiment with the software. Running Abaqus on a cluster is straightforward once the environment is correctly configured. Always check the system requirements for the specific version of Abaqus you are using to ensure compatibility.