#Press Relase WFW LAN
9 messages in this thread
Actually, we went in a different direction, though I wouldn't say completely.
We don't modify any existing code or anything like that. We include some custom
software tools, though.
The Render Garden uses some proprietary hardware to function. We ruined alot of
good CPU's :-{ to bring it online. It's functional though, we use it
ourselves. and it WORKS! It literally just plugs into your network and gives
you slaves. You do, of course, have to modify your SET files if you're doing
that. If you are buying a RG as your first 3DS hardware platform, then we do
all that for you. They are chainable. You can hook up ALOT of them. Please feel
free to ask me anything, though I might be able to answer them here.
Chris, could you please explain how RAM in the Render Garden is distributed to
all the CPU's, and how this effects issues like file size, swapping, and render
times?
Thanks,
-Alan Iglesias
Alan,
Thanks for your interest in our "Render Garden/Farm/Jungle" rendering platform.
I would be happy to discuss product information with you if you would contact
me at the following number.
For those of you following this thread – Read Steven Elliott's msg! At the
conference we took an animation file from Matrox's Demo software and submitted
it to our basic "Render Garden" machine. What took over 4 hours to render on
Matrox's 486DX2/66 w/ 12MB computer (before he pulled the plug!) took just 39
minutes on our machine.
Matt Armstrong
Vice President – AM Labs (Dallas)
(214) 960-7915
Hello Matt,
Thanks for your reply.
I'd be more than happy to call you and talk about your products at my first
possible opportunity. Your product really sounds quite exciting, and could be a
major boon to many animators, I'd guess.
However, I'm really quite busy right now, and don't have an immediate need for
your products. When I do (or a client does), I'll be calling and requesting all
pertinent details.
So in the mean-time, could you please tell us, here on the forum, basically how
your multiple processors access the RAM, and how it impacts issues like
swapping, file size, and render times? In other words, can a single 3DS file
which uses, say, 98% of the machine's available RAM (in 3DS) to render still
take full advantage of multiple processing power?
If this is proprietary information, I totally understand, and I'll be happy to
wait until such time as the information can be disclosed to me.
Thanks very much,
-Alan
Alan,
More directly, we do have some proprietary issues at stake. However, our
"RenderGarden/Farm/Jungle" operates transparently to 3D Studio – It actually
"looks" like a normal network setup to 3D Studio. Our "Greenhouse" process
monitor software takes care of the traffic control.
To your question about a single 3DS file taking 98% of available RAM – 3D
Studio network rendering distributes rendering data one frame/field at a time.
Each assigned processor gets a frame – just like a normal network setup. After
submitting the rendering job, the animator's machine is available to all 3D
Studio functionality. After making changes, it is possible to submit the same
job stream as a second concurrent job stream. Processors may be assigned
exclusively to job streams through the use of "Greenhouse."
The same limits that apply to current network rendering still apply to the
swapping and file size issues. With the exception of render time – on this
issue we have "optimized" 3D Studio network rendering functionality. Roughly,
our entry level "RenderGarden" has accomplished a >4 hour project in 39 minutes
with only 4 of the 5 avilable processors on-line. Also, proprietary components
have been developed and manufactured to take advantage of critical performance
areas.
This machine is smart enough to sense a power failure and call or page the
animator for his response. Basically, AM Labs personnel have both the hardware
and software knowledge to integrate a very powerful "parallel" processing
machine with the best animation software on the market.
Matt:
Your product sounds interesting but I need some basic comparison info. Why
would I be better off buying a (5) 486 box such as yours for $20K rather than
buy 5 P90's with monitors, keyboards, CD-ROM drives, 1G HD's, etc. for the same
$20k? or (5) P90's without monitors, keyboards, etc. for $15K? or (5)
486-66's for . . .
Bob
OK, Matt. Thanks for the info.
So let me get this straight:
>>Each assigned processor gets a frame – just like a normal network setup<<
So, each processor needs enough RAM to hold one rendering job to keep from
swapping, right? Which means that if I want, say, 4 processors to work
simultaneously on the same network job without swapping, the machine needs at
least 4 times the available RAM as the file requires to render one frame,
right?
Which means the primary difference between your system and a series of regular
486/66's is basically one case, video card, and power supply, etc., instead of,
say, four or five, and the custom software, right?
Sorry to be so curious, here, but your (or someone's) initial comments about
this system included the phrase "parallel processing", which I understand to be
defined as multiple processors sharing RAM, and working on one frame at a time,
but REAL fast. This, I'm told, requires (at least) a renderer compiled
specifically to sense a multiple processor arrangement. Also, If I'm gonna be
reccomending a system like this to a client, I REALLY need to know exactly
what's going on regarding these basic issues, so I can properly put their
options in perspective.
If I am off-base here, please forgive me, but I'm going on information from
very reliable sources. If I am wrong, please straighten me out and I can learn
a bit more about what my future may hold.
-Alan
I'm afraid I agree with Bob, why does it make more $ense to buy the one box vs
5 (or 6 as prices drop) separate CPUs for the same money? Actually seems a tad
risky to have it all in one.
Momma always tole me that life is like a basket of eggs, drop it and the yokes
on you… 😉
J-me