TORQUE Resource Manager
TORQUE Resource Manager is a free, open-source resource and queue manager for compute clusters, based on the original PBS resource manager.
What TORQUE Resource Manager is
TORQUE Resource Manager is a free, open-source resource and queue manager for compute clusters, based on the original PBS resource manager. TORQUE 4.0 release notes state support for clusters with more than 15,000 compute nodes and describe a multithreaded pbs_server intended to improve command response and job throughput. Administrators can use an optional MOM hierarchy to reduce update traffic to pbs_server and manage network communications. TORQUE 4.0 moved component communication to TCP/IP, removing UDP and RPP. The trqauthd daemon authorizes client connections to pbs_server and must run as root on client hosts. Linux builds can optionally use control groups and cpusets, and documentation describes integration with the Moab Workload Manager. TORQUE is built from source using configure and make; installation instructions also cover RPM and self-extracting package creation. The project directs questions and contributions to a mailing list. Use, modification, and distribution are subject to the repository's PBS_License.txt terms.
Good
- Free, open-source resource and queue manager.
- TORQUE 4.0 supports clusters above 15,000 nodes.
- Optional MOM hierarchy can reduce update traffic.
- Linux builds can use control groups and cpusets.
- Documentation describes Moab Workload Manager integration.
Watch out
- Built from source using configure and make.
- Client hosts must run trqauthd as root.
- TORQUE 4.0 cannot communicate with earlier versions.
- Rolling upgrades will not work.
Who it suits
TORQUE is intended for administrators managing compute clusters who can build and deploy self-hosted software. Its source-based installation and client authorization requirements are relevant when planning setup.
Verdict
TORQUE provides cluster resource and queue management with documented large-cluster support and optional node hierarchy. Note its source-based setup and version compatibility limit when planning deployment.
Plans and prices
From TORQUE Resource Manager's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| TORQUE Resource Manager | Free | Open-source project · use, modification, and distribution subject to PBS license |
The facts
Each one read from TORQUE Resource Manager's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Authentication
- The trqauthd daemon authorizes TORQUE client connections to pbs_server and must run as root on client hosts.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Communication
- TORQUE 4.0 release notes say component communication moved to TCP/IP and removed UDP and RPP.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limitation
- TORQUE 4.0 components cannot communicate with earlier TORQUE versions, so the release notes say rolling upgrades will not work.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Installation
- TORQUE is built from source with configure and make, and the install instructions describe RPM and self-extracting package creation.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The maker's documentation describes integration between TORQUE and the Moab Workload Manager.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Large clusters
- TORQUE 4.0 release notes state it can support more than 15,000 compute nodes in a cluster.checked 8 Oct 2026
- License
- Use, modification, and distribution are subject to the terms in the repository's PBS_License.txt file.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Node hierarchy
- An optional MOM hierarchy reduces compute node update traffic to pbs_server and lets administrators manage network communications.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- TORQUE is an open-source resource manager and queue manager based on the original PBS resource manager.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Scalability
- The project highlights scalability, fault tolerance, usability, functionality, and security development as areas of improvement.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Server throughput
- TORQUE 4.0 introduced a multithreaded pbs_server intended to improve command response and job throughput.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project README directs questions and contributions to the [email protected] mailing list.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Use case
- The project describes itself as a resource manager for compute clusters.checked 8 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Linux options
- The build configuration supports optional Linux control groups and cpusets.checked 8 Oct 2026
