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View Full Version : Using two PCs as one?



MadeR
December 11th, 2008, 10:37 AM
Does anybody know if there is a programme that, using an ethernet connection, lets me connect two pc (well I am thinking to my two laptops) to share the screens and computing power?

With "share the screens" I mean like both monitors are connected to the same graphic card.

thnak you

windhair
December 11th, 2008, 10:58 AM
I would say, it is not tht easy, since there are not screen plugout for a laptop, what I suggest is using VNC (http://www.realvnc.com/), with which you can access the other desktop easily.
About the power, there is no way to share.

renzokuken
December 11th, 2008, 10:59 AM
you mean a cluster?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cluster_(computing)

very possible using linux, there are even distros designed specifically for this.

Chris_B
December 11th, 2008, 11:13 AM
You could run them both individually using a KVM switch also?

MadeR
December 11th, 2008, 12:10 PM
you mean a cluster?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cluster_(computing)

very possible using linux, there are even distros designed specifically for this.

A cluster fits the descrition for sharing computing power, but not the screens.

Let's say a cluster, and one Xserver should be "linked" to both monitors.

wishyjr
December 11th, 2008, 12:39 PM
this might not be what you're after but i think you'll find it interesting considering your original post:


http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/

derekr44
December 11th, 2008, 06:45 PM
Oh I think I'm going to give Synergy a try :)

semitone36
December 11th, 2008, 07:33 PM
I heard about synergy on digg a few months ago. Post back here if it works out for you. I havent had the chance to test it yet

vrangforestillinger
December 11th, 2008, 07:39 PM
For cluster computing, check out open-mpi (http://www.open-mpi.org/). Its a framework that allows a program to run in parallel on many computers connected on a network. The bad news is that you need to rewrite any programs you want to run on this framework. This Department of Mathematics (http://wiki.math.ntnu.no/drift/stud/parallel_computing) use the MPI-framework on their student computer labs (running Ubuntu).

klange
December 11th, 2008, 07:48 PM
(Sorry to the OP, as my post won't really help you directly...)

Two machines, one graphical output is entirely possible (ignoring clustering for a moment...). Remember that X is a server/client system. With the proper facilities in place, you can make your secondary system use your local system's X server (and force it as a default). It would probably be best not to run a DE on the second machine, and to make sure that all the required QoS provisions are in place to handle the massive network load you'll have. But, regardless, this would be horribly inefficient and pointless when we throw clustering into the mix. You need only run your X server on one machine (with all of its own screens) and let it leech significantly off of the clustered machine.

Now, completely ignoring almost everything the OP said: If you have two distinct machines that you want to "act as one", Synergy is your best bet for input handling, and you can use a system like xmove (with some extra scripting to handle physically dragging a window from one screen to the other) to give you more control of window management.

UbuWu
December 11th, 2008, 09:23 PM
If you want to use synergy, install Quicksynergy (apt:quicksynergy), it will make your life a whole lot easier.