Term of the Moment
E Ink
Definition: clustering
(1) Grouping like objects in order to analyze data. Used in many disciplines, clusters contain similar elements based on values or patterns. See big data.
(2) Using two or more computer systems that work together. Clustering generally refers to multiple servers linked together in order to handle variable workloads or to provide continued operation in the event one fails. Each computer is a multiprocessor system itself. For example, a cluster of four computers, each with 16 CPU cores, enables 64 unique processing threads to take place simultaneously.
Clustering
(2) Using two or more computer systems that work together. Clustering generally refers to multiple servers linked together in order to handle variable workloads or to provide continued operation in the event one fails. Each computer is a multiprocessor system itself. For example, a cluster of four computers, each with 16 CPU cores, enables 64 unique processing threads to take place simultaneously.
A cluster of servers provides fault tolerance and/or load balancing. If one server fails, one or more servers are still available. Load balancing distributes the workload over multiple systems.