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The cluster is enabled, making this computer a cluster controller.
To turn off cluster controller services
1 In Compressor, choose Apple Qmaster > Share This Computer to open the Apple Qmaster
Sharing window.
2 Deselect the “Share this computer” checkbox and click OK.
Important: If you are making changes to existing settings and this computer is already
providing processing services, clicking OK immediately resets this computers services. If
this computer is also the cluster controller, any current jobs are terminated.
Optionally, you can turn off the controller and just make the node a service node. To do
this, select as Services only in the “Share this computer” section.
Using Virtual Clusters to Make the Most of Multicore Computers
You can adjust the number of instances of a processing service, essentially creating virtual
clusters on individual computers. For processor-intensive work, having multiple instances
may increase speed and efficiency, depending on the processing application. Too many
instances, however, may actually decrease speed and efficiency.
A general rule you can use when choosing the number of instances is to allow two GB
of memory for each instance. If you have a computer with eight GB of memory that offers
eight instances in the pop-up menu, choosing four instances should provide good results.
This number can vary widely though, depending on whether this computer is also being
used for other duties.
Note: By default, the Apple Qmaster system creates one Rendering service instance for
each processor. Rendering services are for Shake (with Apple Qmaster), Autodesk Maya,
and other UNIX command-line programs, as opposed to Compressor services, which are
solely for Compressor distributed processing. Consult the documentation that came with
the application to see if using each processor individually is ideal.
To change the number of instances of processing services on a computer
1 In Compressor, choose Apple Qmaster > Share This Computer.
2 Select Compressor or Rendering in the Services section, then click its Options button.
379Chapter 29 Apple Qmaster and Distributed Processing