The Cluster HAT from 8086 connects up to four Raspberry Pi Zero or Zero W boards to a host Raspberry Pi, creating a compact cluster computer. The Pi Zeros operate in USB Gadget Mode, providing Ethernet and serial console access via the on-board USB 2.0 hub — perfect for learning about distributed computing, Docker Swarm, Kubernetes, and parallel processing.
Power to each Pi Zero is controlled individually via I2C through the host Pi's GPIO, and the controller Pi can be rebooted without interrupting power to the Zeros.
Key Features
- Capacity – Connects up to 4× Raspberry Pi Zero/Zero W boards
- Host Compatibility – Raspberry Pi A+, B+, 2, 3, 4
- USB Hub – On-board 4-port USB 2.0 hub
- USB Gadget Mode – Ethernet and serial console over USB
- Individual Power Control – Each Zero controlled independently via I2C/GPIO
- Controller Reboot – Host Pi can reboot without interrupting Zero power
- Serial Console – FTDI Basic connector for controller serial access
Note: This is the HAT, USB cable, and mounting hardware only. All Raspberry Pi boards must be purchased separately.
Ideal For
- Learning cluster computing and distributed systems
- Docker Swarm and Kubernetes experimentation
- Parallel processing and load balancing education
- Compact home lab setups
Package Contents
- 1× Cluster HAT
- 1× USB A to Micro-B Cable (connects HAT to host Pi)
- 1× Mounting Hardware
Resources
The Cluster HAT appears in the following collections:
SKU SF-DEV-18155
by SparkFun
