CLUST3RFXCK: The $50 Compute Cluster Manual

`> SYSTEM_READY...`

Stop paying for cloud credits. Stop begging for GPU time.

This is CLUST3RFXCK: a fully self-contained, interactive HTML guidebook that teaches you how to build a functioning High-Performance Compute (HPC) cluster using scrap silicon, dumpster-dived networking gear, and a total budget of $50.

This isn't a corporate whitepaper. It’s a jank-engineering manifesto for the broke and the curious. It runs in your browser, looks like a CRT terminal, and contains everything you need to turn a pile of Raspberry Pi Zeros into a parallel-processing machine.

### `> MANIFEST_CONTENTS`

This is not a PDF. This is a living HTML document (approx 2MB) that you can open on any device without an internet connection.

* The $50 BOM (Bill of Materials): Exact links to eBay trash and thrift store finds to hit your budget target.

* Architecture Diagrams: Visual breakdowns of Star Topology, NFS sharing, and power distribution.

* Bash Provisioning Scripts: Copy-paste ready shell scripts to auto-configure your worker nodes via SSH.

* Execution Code: Real Python/MPI examples (Monte Carlo simulations) to test your cluster speed.

* Troubleshooting Logs: Error diagnostics for when you inevitably fry a USB port.

* CRT Aesthetic: Designed with a Black & Neon Orange terminal interface, scanline overlays, and hacker typography.

### `> SYSTEM_SPECS`

* Format: Single HTML File (Standalone).

* Style: CSS-Heavy / Responsive / Hacker Aesthetic.

* Difficulty: Intermediate (Requires basic Linux knowledge).

* Compute Nodes: 4x Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W (Overclocked).

### `> LEARNING_OUTCOMES`

By the end of this manual, you will understand how to:

1. Set up static IPs and SSH keys across a LAN.

2. Install and configure OpenMPI on ARM architecture.

3. Handle thermal throttling on passive-cooled hardware.

4. Execute parallel jobs that split workloads across 4 distinct CPUs.

### `> WHY_THIS_GUIDE`

Because real supercomputers are boring beige racks. We build ours out of zip ties, acrylic scraps, and pure spite. This guide captures that spirit. It’s detailed, it’s gritty, and it glows in the dark.

Are you ready to initialize the cluster?

### `> FAQ`

Q: Do I need 4 Raspberry Pi Zeros?

A: The guide is optimized for a 4-node cluster, but you can scale up or down depending on how many you can afford.

Q: Is this for beginners?

A: You should know how to flash an SD card and use a terminal. If you can do that, this guide will hold your hand through the networking part.

Q: Can I really run this for $50?

A: Yes, if you are willing to buy used parts and salvage cables. The BOM is priced accordingly.