Qluster:Add software

Installing Software

As explained elsewhere, the RAM-based root file-system of a Qlustar compute/storage node can be supplemented by a global NFS-exported chroot to allow access to software not already contained in the boot images themselves. The default chroot generated during installation is located at /srv/apps/chroots/precise. This chroot contains a normal installation of Qlustar. You can use the standard Debian/Ubuntu tools to control its software packages, e.g.

$ chroot /srv/apps/chroots/precise
(chroot-precise)root@head:/# aptitude update
(chroot-precise)root@head:/# aptitude dist-upgrade
(chroot-precise)root@head:/# aptitude install <package>
(chroot-precise)root@head:/# exit

Software from packages installed in a particular chroot will be available instantaneously on all compute/storage nodes that are configured to use that chroot via unionFS.

Important: There is usually no need to install additional packages on the head-node itself (only in the chroot). Software packages installed directly on the head-node will not be visible cluster-wide.