Apple Qmaster 2 and Compressor 2 (Distributed Processing Setup) - Manual (Page 9)

Preface Introduction to Distributed Processing 9
Service Nodes
The service nodes are where the processing work is done. When you assign a group of
service nodes to a cluster, they function as one very powerful computer because all
their resources are shared. If one service node is overloaded or otherwise inaccessible,
another service node is used.
You make a computer available as a service node by configuring it in the
Apple Qmaster pane in System Preferences. The simple steps involved in using System
Preferences to configure a service node are described in Chapter 4, “
Creating and
Administering Clusters ,” on page 39.
Note: The terms processing and rendering will come up frequently as you read this
document. The term processing is used here generically to cover both rendering (for
Shake, and other frame-based rendering applications) and encoding (or transcoding or
compression) for Compressor. For more information see the
Shake 4 User Manual and
the Compressor 2 User Manual.
Cluster Controllers
The cluster controller software acts as the manager of a cluster. The cluster controller
directs the distribution of batches within the cluster. It has the ability to determine the
best use of the cluster resources based on work and availability variables. (See “
How
the Apple Qmaster System Distributes Batches ,” next, for more details.) The cluster
controller is responsible for accepting batch submissions, maintaining and managing
the batch queue, and doling out the work to the appropriate service node. It also tracks
the status of all outstanding batches.
You make a computer available as a cluster controller by turning on the cluster-
controlling service in the Apple Qmaster pane in System Preferences.
QuickClusters
The QuickCluster feature of the Apple Qmaster distributed processing system is a
simple and automated alternative to creating and configuring clusters manually. For
more information about QuickClusters, see “
Creating QuickClusters ” on page 50.
How the Apple Qmaster System Distributes Batches
The Apple Qmaster cluster controller determines the most efficient use of the cluster
resources. It makes this determination based on the availability of each service node
and the number of separable parts (described next) of the batch.
Because Apple Qmaster subdivides individual batches across different service nodes,
the work is shared and completed more quickly. And, because this method uses all the
service nodes as much as possible, you avoid under-utilizing your resources.
UP01082.Book Page 9 Wednesday, March 16, 2005 5:12 PM