Networking a Cluster

Hello,

I am currently trying to network a cluster for MPI and am having difficulties. Here is the set up…

Master node connected to the switch and LAN(2NICs).
8 Compute nodes connected only to the switch.

I want the compute nodes to be able to communicate with the master node. I am assuming the master node needs to set the IP addresses,default gateway, and do the routing for each compute node.
The MPI end goal is to read and write off of each compute node and master node.

Running:
Windows Server 2008 on the whole system
Any idea on how to set this up?

Any help is greatly appreciated!!!