Create a Supercomputer

String six Raspberry Pi computers together and build a supercomputer and experiment with Big Data. Cluster computing can teach you a lot about how modern computers work together to achieve great results.

BUILDING A CASE

What’s better than a Raspberry Pi? Six Raspberry Pis all strung together to create a supercomputer known as a “bramble”; that’s what. Sung-Taek Kim, a software engineer from Korea has created the Pi Spark project (pocketcluster.wordpress.com).

STEP 1

With a bit of networking skill and the right project you can string multiple Raspberry Pis together. You’ll need six Raspberry Pi 2 models and a lot of wires and cables. This is housed in a unit made from four boards. Get the Schematics from github.com/stkim1/pocketcluster/ .

STEP 2

Used the schematics to get the boards cut. You can use a variety of materials, but the most popular way is to use a laser cutter with acrylic. If you don’t have your own cutter, then find a cutter near you (or use service like razorlab.co.uk).

STEP 3

You’ll need a Photive 6-ports 50 watt USB charger; six 30 cm Cat6 Ethernet cables and six 30 cm 90 degree right-angled Micro USB to USB cables. Be sure to get right-angled USB to USB cables, as shown in the photo, or they won’t fit in the case.

STEP 4

You need a lot of screws and nuts for this project:
1) 2 x M3 Hex Nuts.
2) 22 x M3 25mm Pillar Screws.
3) 4 x M3 Whirled Hex Nuts.
4) 6 x M3 4mm Screws.
5) 24 x M2.5 5mm Screws.
6) 24 x M2.5 Hex Nuts.
7) 24 x M2.5 5mm Pillar Screws.

STEP 5

The network router is an optional extra. You can connect the Raspberry Pi to an existing network but if you’re looking to create a truly independent setup then you can give it your own network switch. Be sure to choose something skinny like this D-Link 8-Port Gigabit Desktop Switch.

STEP 6

Once you have all the acrylic boards and screws you’re ready to start building the case. Start by putting the M2.5 5mm pillar screws on the boards and use M2.5 Hex nuts to tighten them up. Do this for all six sets as they will hold your Raspberry Pi boards in place.

BUILDING THE COMPUTER

Now that you have assembled the basics for your Raspberry Pi supercomputer, it’s time to start putting them all together. When you start the assembly process, the Pi Spark starts to look like the monster computer it’ll become.

STEP 1

Use M2.5 screws to attach the Raspberry Pi to one of the acrylic boards. Make sure it is aligned the same way around as you see in the picture with the Ethernet socket flush against the side. Be sure to check that the Raspberry Pi is firmly attached to the board.

STEP 2

Half of the boards are flipped to the other side of the acrylic board (check the schematics). This ensures that the Raspberry Pi power sockets are located near the power supply. The big round holes beneath each Raspberry Pi are for ventilation.

STEP 3

Apply two pieces of double-sided tape to the USB charger supporter – this is the small strip of plastic from the schematics. Place it in the middle of the piece called board-middle-end as shown in the picture. This strengthens the board so it can support the charger.

STEP 4

Now stack up each Raspberry Pi using the pillar screws. Noticehow the devices are stacked, with the ones on the right positioned upside down. For more information on assembling the case look at pocketcluster.wordpress.com/2015/08/16/free-schematic-raspberry-pi-2-cluster- assembly-tutorial.

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