Apple Qmaster 4 - Manual (Page 9)

Clusters
When a client sends batches to the Apple Qmaster system, all the processing and
subsequent moving of any output files is performed by a group of
Apple Qmaster–configured computers called a cluster. To set up Apple Qmaster services,
you either configure computers to work with This Computer Plus, create a QuickCluster
in Compressor, or use the Apple Qadministrator application to create one or more clusters
of service nodes, with one cluster controller included in each cluster. Each computer in
the cluster is connected to the other computers in the cluster through a network
connection. See the Apple Qadministrator User Manual for more information on specialized
cluster setup.
Note: See the Shake Support website ( http://www.apple.com/support/shake ) for an online
guide to setting up a full-time “render farm,” incorporating an Xserve computer and
cluster nodes.
Service Nodes
When you combine multiple nodes into a cluster, they function as one very powerful
computer because all their resources are shared. You make a computer available as a
service node by configuring it in the Compressor Apple Qmaster Sharing window. The
steps involved in using this window to configure a service node are described in
“Configuring Service Node Processing” in the Compressor User Manual, available in
Compressor Help.
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. You make a
computer available as a cluster controller by turning on the cluster controlling service in
the Apple Qmaster Sharing window in Compressor. (See “Configuring Service Nodes and
Cluster Controllers” in the Compressor User Manual, available in Compressor Help.)
9 Chapter 1 Using Apple Qmaster