CloverPi Aims to Make Four-Node Raspberry Pi Cluster Computing a Cinch
Clustering up to four Raspberry Pi boards per backplane, the CloverPi includes a five-port Gigabit switch and smart status LEDs.
Michael Alsdorf is seeking funding for production of a four-node, Raspberry Pi-powered cluster computing backplane dubbed the CloverPi — powering all devices from a single input.
"There are a TON of makers out there that have projects that involve multiple Raspberry Pis. Anyone who makes these projects knows that for every Raspberry Pi you need a power supply and a network cable, assuming you are going to network these bad boys together," Alsdorf writes. "That means you need a switch and need to power that too. So we thought wouldn't it be great if we can just plug these Raspberry Pis into a board and let that handle all that?
"[CloverPi] takes Raspberry Pis, wired Ethernet, power supplies and put them all into one unit with just a single power supply and optionally external network connection."
Connecting to the Raspberry Pis through the 40-pin general-purpose input/output header (GPIO) and the wired Ethernet port, the CloverPi is compatible with all models of Raspberry Pi that have the header — leaving out only the SODIMM form factor Compute Module series and the original Raspberry Pi Models A and B with their shorter GPIO pin headers. Only those with an on-board Ethernet port — or that have a USB Ethernet adapter connected - will be able to use the on-board network, however.
The backplane provides power and data connections to each Raspberry Pi in the cluster, as well as individual power switches and an individually addressable RGB status LED per board. The built-in five-port gigabit Ethernet switch handles network connectivity, with the fifth port used as an uplink to an external network or outside cluster control system.
The CloverPi is far from the first attempt to build Raspberry Pi-powered clusters — earlier efforts range from the impressively-styled Ground Electronics Circumference and the industrial BitScope Blade family to Oracle's impressive 1,060-node cluster — but certainly wins points for its compact design.
The CloverPi is now available to back on Kickstarter with pricing starting at $90 for the early bird backers — a discount off the device's projected $149.99 retail price.