[Discuss] Education - becoming a Cluster Administrator

[sgoldman at MIT.EDU (Stephen Goldman)]

Holiday Greeting to all!
    
    My manager suggested I learn how to become a "linux cluster administrator". The question at hand is how best to do it?
    My organization currently has access to a cluster environment that is supported by an outside consultant.

     I have an account on the system which consist of an Ubuntu head node and 8 other servers under it. I manage shared storage that attach to the cluster but have no admin access to it.
    Essentially, I am a team of one and train myself.  I am not a Linux wizard. I support structured cabling, Windows desktops, Windows servers, Linux storage servers running RHEL 5.5 -6.1. Continuing to improve my skills as needed to fit the environment. Additionally I maintain a back end network, small machine room and Cisco 2800 router.

    The direction is to build a small test cluster.There is room in the machine to add test equipment and access to ip address. 
The operating system of the cluster will be Ubuntu 10.04 - and to install SGE to manage jobs. The question is obtaining the hardware .. maybe from Ebay. I looks like I would pay for it or maybe find another more cost effective way to train. That is the issue. If it come down to it I am willing to invest in my training.

Please share your thoughts..

Thanks,
Stephen