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Cluster Intake

HPC cluster sizing questions.

Use these questions to describe the workload, data path, node requirements, storage behavior, and operating constraints before scoping a cluster.

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Collect First

The bottleneck determines the cluster shape.

Workload Behavior

  • Software stack, job type, parallelism model, runtime goals, and current pain points
  • CPU, memory, GPU or accelerator needs, and expected utilization pattern
  • Single-node versus multi-node behavior and any scheduler or management requirements

Data and Network Path

  • Data set size, scratch needs, shared storage needs, read/write pattern, and growth rate
  • Network speed, switch needs, NICs, optics, cabling, and east-west traffic expectations
  • Backup, archive, ingest, and export requirements

Operations and Handoff

  • Rack and power limits, cooling, physical access, remote management, and service windows
  • Burn-in expectations, performance sanity checks, tuning targets, and documentation needs
  • Support owner, replacement expectations, and future growth plan

Output

Sizing should explain assumptions, not hide them.

A useful cluster plan should document workload profile, node and storage direction, network assumptions, burn-in and sanity checks, tuning notes, and operational handoff.

Useful outputWorkload profile, architecture direction, sizing assumptions, validation plan, and handoff notes.
Common missChoosing node specs before understanding data movement, storage pressure, and network behavior.
Next stepSend workload details and any current performance issue or target runtime.

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