Networking G5's

E

eklassen

Member
I'm not sure where else to put this post, so here it is. I'm getting together with four other guys in different aspects of production and each of us owns a G5. We're looking at networking them together in order to use all the available processing power for rendering and we will be buying several individual processers in the near future. A couple of questions.
1) What do we need to be aware of when doing this in terms of cost, software, hardware, and other technical nightmares that are swimming under the surface?
2) When all is working, how do we get the processing to be smooth and not get skips or drop outs if someone else pulls processing needs in another direction?

Thanks
 
Re: Networking G5's

Well if you're looking at clustering vs just shared rendering, realize they're very different. Clustering would be like Virginia Tech, where the "cluster" uses shared computing power of all the computers at once, acting like one big supercomputer...

A render farm on the other hand, will share render duties by divying up frames to different computers out of a "watch folder". Basiclly machine 1 renders frame 1, 2 renders frame 2, etc... Not necessarilly in that sequence, but you get the idea. This is the most typical of networking setups, and you can easily do with After Effects production bundle, etc (assuming that's what you're using.) No special hardware for that, just a network. Hope that helps a bit.
 
Re: Networking G5's

Apple just released a beta test version of the software required to link multiple computers together (exactly what your trying to do)- at least i think thats what its for.... Check it out, its called " Xgrid ", its on the apple website.
 
Re: Networking G5's

I've been keeping an eye on that xGrid software. That is NICE. Post back if anyone has success with it.

Chico
 
Re: Networking G5's

Thanks everyone,
I'll be looking into Xgrid and probably purchasing it soon. I'll post about it when the time comes.
 
Re: Networking G5's

Hey, no problem Kai. Anyone who is going to give it a try let me know how it works out. I have a lab at school with 20 emac's and 2 dual 1ghz G4's just waiting to be born!

Take care-
 
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