Supported Distributions and Features#

Unless otherwise noted, the ICE ClusterWare ™ platform is principally supported for the x86_64 architecture.

It has also been tested on the aarch64 architecture using Rocky 8. If you are interested in a cluster using that architecture or a mix of architectures, please contact Penguin Computing.

Linux Distributions#

The ClusterWare software supports a variety of Linux distributions. Penguin Computing recommends RHEL or Rocky 9 for head and compute nodes for long-term distribution availability and maintenance.

The table below lists all verified distribution versions. Distributions are tested prior to every release. Entries marked as probable are RHEL clones and probably work, although they are not explicitly tested by Penguin Computing.

Note

ClusterWare head nodes require Python version 3.12. This version of Python was not available for earlier versions of RHEL / CentOS Stream 8 and 9. However, these earlier versions are supported for head nodes as long as Python version 3.12 is installed. If you are installing an earlier version of RHEL / CentOS Stream, be sure to update your Python version.

VERIFIED DISTROS

Head Nodes

Compute Nodes

Distro

Version

Node Image

Kickstart

RHEL

8.7 - 8.10

yes

yes

yes

RHEL

9.1 - 9.6

yes

yes

yes

Rocky

8.7 - 8.10

yes

yes

yes

Rocky

9.1 - 9.6

yes

yes

yes

CentOS Stream

8, 9

yes

yes

yes

Oracle

8.7 - 8.10

probable

probable

yes

AlmaLinux

8.7 - 8.10

probable

probable

yes

AlmaLinux

9.0 - 9.6

probable

probable

yes

Ubuntu

20 - 24 LTS

no

yes

no

Debian

stable, testing

no

probable

no

Note

CentOS Stream distribution support is tested and confirmed on the date of the ClusterWare product release build. See Changelog for the build date to compare to your CentOS Stream release date.

If you are using Ansible, Ubuntu 20.04 is not supported with the clusterware-ansible package.

If you are interested in a distribution or version that is not currently listed, reach out to Penguin Computing with your requirements.

Security Policies#

Entries marked both indicate that Penguin Computing tests and supports both SELinux Targeted and MLS policies.

VERIFIED SECURITY

Head Nodes

Compute Nodes

OS Distro

Version(s)

FIPS Mode

SELinux

FIPS Mode

SELinux

RHEL

8.7 - 8.10

yes

both

yes

both

RHEL

9.1 - 9.6

yes

both

yes

both

Rocky

8.7 - 8.10

yes

both

yes

both

Rocky

9.1 - 9.6

yes

both

yes

both

CentOS Stream

8, 9

probable

probable

yes

both

Oracle

8.7 - 8.10

probable

probable

yes

both

AlmaLinux

8.7 - 8.10

probable

probable

yes

both

AlmaLinux

9.0 - 9.6

probable

probable

yes

both

Note

CentOS Stream distribution support is tested and confirmed on the date of the ClusterWare product release build. See Changelog for the build date to compare to your CentOS Stream release date.

Schedulers#

CLUSTERWARE-DISTRIBUTED SCHEDULERS

OS Distro

Slurm

OpenPBS

RHEL/Rocky 8

25

20

RHEL/Rocky 9

25

N/A

If you are interested in a scheduler version that is not currently listed, reach out to Penguin Computing with your requirements.

Middleware#

CLUSTERWARE-DISTRIBUTED MIDDLEWARE

OS Distro

OpenMPI

MPICH

MVAPICH

RHEL/Rocky 8

4, 5

4

4

RHEL/Rocky 9

4, 5

4

4

If you are interested in a middleware version that is not currently listed, reach out to Penguin Computing with your requirements.

Network Operating Systems#

For multi-tenant clusters, the ClusterWare software supports Enterprise Sonic version 4.4 or later that includes support for EVPN technology, such as Enterprise Standard Sonic or Enterprise Premium Sonic.