•use distributed
computing
–using existing networks of workstations
(PCs from labs, offices
connected by LAN )
–usually running Windows or Linux operating system
(also MacOS, Solaris,
IRIX, BSD, etc.)
–powerful CPUs (Pentium3/4, AMD Athlon)
–high speed networking (100 MBps)
–already installed computers – very cheap
–already existing maintenance
–easy to have a network of tens/hundreds of computers