3
Table Of Contents
- Distributed Processing Setup
- Contents
- Introduction to DistributedProcessing
- Getting Started Quickly
- Preparing a Network forDistributed Processing
- The Interfaces
- Creating and AdministeringClusters
- An Overview of Configuring a Cluster
- Configuring Service Nodes and Cluster Controllers
- Creating Clusters with AppleQadministrator
- About QuickClusters
- Advanced Settings in the AppleQmaster Preferences Pane
- Modifying and Deleting Clusters With AppleQadministrator
- Monitoring Cluster Activity
- Accessing Activity Logs
- Setting Cluster Preferences
- Setting Passwords and Scratch Storage
- Recovery and Failure Notification Features
- Command-Line Usage
- Installing AppleQmaster from the Command Line
- Shell Commands for Configuring Service Nodes and Cluster Controllers
- Shell Commands for Submitting Compressor Jobs
- Shell Commands for Submitting AppleQmaster Jobs
- Shell Commands for Monitoring Batches
- Using Scripts to Run AppleQmaster, Compressor, and BatchMonitor
- Troubleshooting
- Index
28 Chapter 2 Preparing a Network for Distributed Processing
The steps that follow describe how to configure this desktop distributed processing
environment. Before you get started, keep these essentials in mind:
 The cluster computers (cluster controller and service nodes) and the client
computers (user workstations) need to be on the same local network (subnet).
 All the computers in the setup need Read and Write access to any volumes that will
be specified as the source location or output destination for files, including Shake
scripts. (An appropriate way to configure this access is included in the sample steps
below.)
Configuring Access for Part-Time Distributed Processing
Step 1: Install Compressor 3 and/or Apple Qmaster
The necessary components of Compressor 3 or Apple Qmaster need to be installed on
each computer. See “Install the software” on page 15 for more information.
Important: The Compressor distributed processing feature for Dolby Digital Professional
(AC-3) and Final Cut Pro is limited to computers that have Final Cut Studio installed.
Step 2: Make sure each computer has a volume dedicated to media
Make sure each computer has the necessary available storage, preferably a dedicated
media volume. For example, give each computer a second volume, such as a FireWire
drive, that is used for media. Each computer can use this volume for all source and
destination files associated with distributed processing.
If you are a Compressor user, you can skip to one of the following chapters to complete
the setup of your part time distributed processing system:
 Chapter 1, “Getting Started Quickly,” on page 15
 Chapter 4, “Creating and Administering Clusters,” on page 41
If you are a Shake user and you cannot consolidate all of the necessary source files
(Shake scripts, media files, etc.) on a single-cluster storage volume, skip to “Additional
Steps For Part-Time Distributed Processing With Shake” on page 29 before going on
to Step 3.
Step 3: Create a cluster
First, use the Apple Qmaster pane in System Preferences to enable cluster controlling
on one of the computers and enable the processing services on all the computers
(making them service nodes). Then, you can assemble these computers as a cluster.
Apple Qadministrator may not be necessary. See Chapter 4, “Creating and
Administering Clusters,” on page 41, for detailed instructions.