Setup guide

Burn

Architectural overview

Burn is a Linux-based network processing solution.

Components

■ Render node: a computer running Burn.

■ Does imaging processing which frees a workstation for more creative tasks.

■ Render nodes without GPU-accelerated graphics cards cannot process jobs that require a GPU (such

as floating point jobs). They can only process jobs in software mode, using the OSMesa API. Render

nodes equipped with GPU-accelerated graphics cards can process both jobs that require a GPU and

OSMesa jobs. The Burn installation script installs the appropriate software including the plugin, the

link to Backburner (page 81).

■ Multiple Burn processing engines on a render node, enabling the render node to process jobs from

different clients.

■ Render nodes can be networked with a fast network connection such as InfiniBand technology. Wire

enables the high-speed transfer of uncompressed video, film, and audio between Autodesk systems,

over TCP/IP and InfiniBand networks. Render nodes use Wire to transfer source frames from the

render client, and to return the processed frames back again.

■ Render client: an application, like Inferno, Flame, Flare, Flint, Smoke, or Backdraft Conform, that sends

jobs to the background processing network.

■ Backburner (page 81), Backburner Manager (page 107), and Backburner Monitor (page 86)

Installation or upgrade workflow

You can either set up a new system from nothing, or upgrade an existing one. Nodes purchased from Autodesk

ship with the correct distribution Linux installed and configured. You must (re)install Linux if: your Linux

version is too old. You had to replace the system disk. If you must replace the hard disk of your license server

system, you need to obtain a new license. Contact Customer Support for assistance.

Installation workflow

1 Check the NO LABEL . If doing a fresh install or your Linux is outdated, Install Linux for Burn (page

113).

2 Install and configure Burn (page 116).

3 License your software (page 76).

4 Run the software (page 125).

Upgrade workflow

1 Check the NO LABEL ..

2 Install the DKU (page 116).

3 Install and configure Burn (page 116).

112 | Chapter 3 Networked processing