A network of workstations is a group of resources connected as system processors and as an interface for networks, storage, and data disks that open the space for newer combinations, such as:

• Parallel computing: As discussed in the previous sections, a group of system processors can be connected as MPP or DSM, which obtains the parallel processing ability.

• RAM network: As a number of systems are connected, each system memory can collectively work as DRAM cache, which intensely expands the virtual memory of the entire system and improves its processing ability.
• Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID): As a group of systems are used in the network connected in an array, it improves system stability, availability, and memory capacity with the help of low-cost multiple systems connected to the local area network. This also gives simultaneous I/O system support.
• Multipath communication: Multipath communication is a technique of using more than one network connection between a network of workstations to allow simultaneous information exchange among system nodes.

Cluster software can bring the best out of such parallel processing systems. Let's review a bit more about the cluster architecture.