Patent ID: 7472193

Claim:
A method of providing a cluster computer, the method being implemented in at least two programmed computers, each said programmed computer comprising a processor, a standard operating system, at least one data storage system, at least one input device, at least one output device, and at least one external network interface, said network interfaces of all said programmed computers interconnecting said programmed computers over a communications network, the method comprising the steps of: copying node control applications groups comprising applications defined by executable statements to said data storage systems of each said programmed computers; and executing a node control application, said application a member of said group on each said programmed computer; composing a grade message in one said programmed computer; transmitting said grade message from one said computer to another said computer over said network, wherein none of said copying, executing, composing or transmitting steps modify or require modification to said standard operating systems; and said node control application further comprising export/import means for detecting messages between a front end software application being executed on one said programmed computer and the kernel of said programmed computer and diverting selected said detected messages to a node control application on another programmed computer in said cluster computer.