In distributed computing, a single system image (SSI) cluster is a cluster of machines that appears to be one single system.[1][2][3] The concept is often considered synonymous with that of a distributed operating system,[4][5] but a single image may be presented for more limited purposes, just job scheduling for instance, which may be achieved by means of an additional layer of software over conventional operating system images running on each node.[6] The interest in SSI clusters is based on the perception that they may be simpler to use and administer than more specialized clusters.
Different SSI systems may provide a more or less complete illusion of a single system.
^Bolosky, William J.; Draves, Richard P.; Fitzgerald, Robert P.; Fraser, Christopher W.; Jones, Michael B.; Knoblock, Todd B.; Rashid, Rick (1997-05-05), "Operating System Directions for the Next Millennium", 6th Workshop on Hot Topics in Operating Systems (HotOS-VI), Cape Cod, MA, pp. 106–110, CiteSeerX10.1.1.50.9538, doi:10.1109/HOTOS.1997.595191, ISBN978-0-8186-7834-9, S2CID15380352{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)