multiprocessing on dinosaurs?

Question

I'm wondering if anyone knows of any info about networking two home computers to achieve multiprocessing results...
Basically, I'm wondering if its possible to use two obsolete computers to achieve performance that would normally come from a single modern unit.
I have a number of old 300 - 500 mhz computers, and I was thinking that if I could combine a couple of them, I could have a 1 to 2 ghz system, but I havent found any info online about software that can or will run on such a system.
Also, any info about networking computers using VERY inexpensive methods would be useful as well. Perhaps if anyone knows anything about netowrking over a standard parallel printer cable (yeah I know, parallel printers are obsolete too) I'd like to see that info.
Just general info about networking, multiprocessing and such applicable to older, somewhat out dated equipment would help to more or less degree.
Thanks

Answer 1

You should look in to Beowulf computing. Wikipedia has an excellent article on it at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beowulf_cluster

In fact most supercomputers employ numerous processors.

Answer 2

This type of computing, known as "distributed computing" (not multiprocessing) Is only really useful for certain types of applications. If you're trying to calculate prime numbers or sequence DNA for example, then it'll work great, but you'll need to write your own software. It's not the kind of thing you can use to run a newer operating system or to get your games to run faster. It is possible to do this with multiprocessing, but what you describe is not multiprocessing but distributed computing.

Multiprocessing is having two or more CPUs inside one computer attached to the same motherboard (you need a specially designed motherboard to do this, they tend to be quite expensive). Distributed computing is having two (or more) computers connected over a network.

For networking, you can pick up a couple of cheap Network Cards from eBay for a couple of dollars. From there, you just need a _crossover_ Cat5 cable and you'll be up and running.

Answer 3

No, not going to do anything for you -- at least not with Windows.

You could cluster them with Linux but THAT is getting into advanced configuration. If you're a Linux newbie, expect to spend about 6 months getting the first pair up and running.

And don't waste your time trying to network with parallel cables. Dog slow compared to using a handful of cheap NICs and a switch or two.