Distributed Processing Setup Guide

You make a computer available as a cluster controller by turning on the cluster–controlling
service in the Apple Qmaster pane of 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.
Compressor AutoClusters
The AutoCluster feature in Compressor gives you an easy way to take advantage of the
distributed processing capabilities offered by Apple Qmaster without requiring a lot of
knowledge about how clusters are configured, setting up file sharing, and so on. For more
information about AutoClusters, see Using Compressor AutoClusters.
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.
Batches can be distributed to a cluster by the cluster controller in one or both of the
following ways. (Apple Qmaster determines which way is the most efficient for specific
batches, depending on the circumstances.)
• The batch is subdivided into data segments: For example, for a render batch, the cluster
controller could divide the frames into groups (segments). Each segment would be
processed in parallel on the service nodes in the cluster.
• The batch is subdivided into tasks: For example, for a render batch, the cluster controller
could subdivide the rendering work into different processing tasks. Different tasks
would be run on different service nodes.
13Chapter 1 Distributed Processing Basics