Cluster computing allows for what primary benefit?

Cluster computing is designed primarily to enhance high availability and reliability by utilizing multiple interconnected computers that work together as a single system. This configuration allows for the distribution of workloads across various nodes, which not only improves performance but also ensures that if one machine fails, others can take over its tasks without interrupting service. This redundancy is crucial in mission-critical applications, where uptime is essential.

While options like increased costs or single points of failure might seem relevant, they do not capture the essence of what cluster computing aims to achieve. It is specifically the architecture of utilizing multiple computers that dramatically increases the system's overall availability and reliability, making it possible to host applications without a significant risk of downtime. Additionally, the performance of cluster systems can exceed that of individual supercomputers by leveraging collective resources rather than diminishing performance. Hence, the primary benefit is indeed high availability due to multiple computers working cohesively.