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Manually create a cluster: Large installations can manually create managed clusters for
use by their clients. For more information, see Creating Clusters with
Apple Qadministrator.
Important: When using distributed processing (This Computer Plus, QuickClusters, and
managed clusters), you may be asked to authenticate yourself. This is because
Apple Qmaster must share a folder, using NFS sharing, with links to the media files so
that the processing computers can access the media files. This makes this folder available
to any computer that knows its IP address. When using distributed processing with
confidential media, make sure the computers are protected by a firewall.
For more information about the various components that make up a distributed processing
system, see Basic Components of the Apple Qmaster Distributed Processing System.
Basic Components of the Apple Qmaster Distributed Processing
System
Although the Apple Qmaster software includes a few different applications (see The
Interfaces in the Apple Qmaster Distributed Processing System), as a whole it is part of a
networked system that includes the following basic components.
Note: Within a distributed processing system, the Compressor, QuickTime, and Mac OS
versions must all be identical.
Client(s): The computer or computers that use Compressor or Apple Qmaster to submit
jobs for distributed processing. Applications that can use Apple Qmaster services for
processing include Compressor, Shake, Autodesk Maya, and many UNIX command-line
programs. Computers with Final Cut Pro and Motion can also be clients.
An Apple Qmaster cluster: An Apple Qmaster cluster contains:
Service nodes: The computers that perform the processing of batches submitted via
Compressor or Apple Qmaster. A batch can include one or more jobs.
351Chapter 29 Apple Qmaster and Distributed Processing