To manage/monitor/use a cluster you don’t need to be logged on the head node, you just have to install the HPC Pack on your Windows Workstation.

Idealy your PC and the cluster will be into the same Active Directory, but if this is not the case, you will need to follow this step : 

1 - Install HPC Pack on your PC

2 - If the head node name resolution is not made :

          Add your the head node into your host file ( located in c:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\ )

3 - Use an account into the cluster AD when you talk to the head node :

         Add your AD credential into the Network Password Manager of your PC
         (you will use this credential each time you “talk” to the head node): 

  • For Vista :
    1. Goes into the "Control Pannel \ User Account" and then select "Manage your network passwords"
    2. Into the WIndows "Stored Credential Properties", enter the head node name and then the domain account name and password

           Your can also go and see this Tutorial : http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76585-stored-user-names-passwords.html

  • For XP/2003 :
    1.  If you are running Windows Server 2003, click Control Panel, click Stored User Names and Passwords, and then go to step 5. If you are running Windows XP, go to step 2.
    2. In Control Panel, click User Accounts.
    3. Click the Advanced tab.
    4. Click Manage Passwords.
    5. Click Add.
    6. Type the name of the SoftGrid Virtual Application Server.
    7. Type the domain name and the user name in the following format:
      Domain\Username
    8. Type the password.
    9. Click OK, click Close, and then click OK

        see : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931172