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Cluster HAT v2.0

Cluster HAT v2.0

The Cluster HAT interfaces a (Controller) Raspberry Pi A+/B+/2/3 with 4 Raspberry Pi Zeros (NOT included). Configured to use USB Gadget mode, it is an ideal tool for teaching, testing or simulating small scale clusters.

  • USB Gadget Mode: Ethernet and Serial Console.
  • Onboard 4 port USB 2.0 hub.
  • Zeros (not included) are powered via Controller Pi GPIO
  • Individual Raspberry Pi Zero power controlled via Controller Pi GPIO
  • Connector for Controller Serial Console (FTDI Basic).
  • Controller Pi can be rebooted without interrupting power to Pi Zeros (network recovers on boot).

Kit includes:

  • Cluster HAT
  • HAT standoffs and screws
  • Short USB rope (colour may vary)

As with most things there are many ways to configure the ClusterHAT. If you know what you're doing with Linux kernel Gadget mode and networking you can probably skip most of these.

  • Assembly - Connecting the ClusterHAT (plugging/unplugging the Pi Zeros).
  • Software - Installing our Customised Raspbian for the Controller and Zeros.
  • Control - Controlling power to the Pi Zeros

The Cluster HAT v2.0 appears in the following collections:

SKU PI-8086-003
by Little Bird

Customer Reviews

Based on 2 reviews
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D
David Morton
Oops, an omission

The spacing is too close for the Zeros, making ones with headers incompatible. You may also with to label them 1 to 4, in case you unplug them. They are slot specific due to how they software works.

D
David Morton
Perfect for first clusters. It's cheap and it Works

I have one of these on a Pi 2B, and used it to start learning about cluster computing, it's FANTASTIC!
First, it's the cheapest way to build a cluster of Pis,
Second, apart from typos the ClusterHat websites gets you up and going quite quickly, although I got the best results using the NAT download for my controller Pi.
Third, it works with Mathematica (my primary Pi interest); mind you better resources online for this would be most helpful. (I hope to fix that on Wolfram's fora).
It won't perform very quickly, but you can't have fast at this price; but for the learning stages it's perfect, and small to boot. If only it fit into a case...