3. Requirements
Let's briefly outline the requirements: 
- More than one box, each equipped with a network card. 
- A switch or hub to connect them 
- Linux 
- A message-passing interface [I used lam] 
It is not a requirement to have a kvm switch, [you know,
    the switch to share one keyboard, video, and mouse between many boxes],
    but it is convenient while setting up and / or debugging.