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Clusters- what am I doing wrong?

I know this has been beaten to death but I'm really frustrated. I never had any problems setting up clusters in Compressor 3 and getting them to work. I have an 8 core mac pro with 16 gigs of ram. When I would transcode dv to m2v, activity monitor showed usage at about 95%. Then I downloaded FCP Xand that seemed to hose the setup- now only runs at 35%. (Fortunately, I have another set up clone on another hardrive and that still works- no FCP X).
So the I decided to download Compressor 4. I read the manual. I followed intructions on setting up a cluster. But when I submit a job, only "this computer" shows up. It uses 35% of core resources. If I check the box next to it (computer plus share) it won't even encode. Would somebody please provide a step by step description of how an old geezer like me can set up a cluster on my mac pro and actually get it to work. Your indulgence is most appreciated.

Steve

Posted on Jun 15, 2013 6:24 AM

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18 replies

Jun 15, 2013 8:35 PM in response to Steven Cohen

Hey Steve.


In previous versions, we opened Qmaster in Systems Preferences. In the current version, Qmaster is an embedded app and is accessible through the toolbar menu.


In Apple Qmaster sharing > Setup, check the boxes as shown. And click the QuickCluster with Services button. Give you cluster a name and enter it into the identify…field. Click the Options button and choose the number of instances; Assume your cores are hyperthreaded so in theory you could go up to 16. But I'd suggest something more conservative – 6 wouldn't be a bad place to start. (Later, when you get it running, you can do some timed testing with higher numbers of instances.)


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When you submit your batch for processing, in the drop down, you should get a choice of This Computer and your cluster name.

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Then open up the Share Monitor to check that the jobs are being segmented as they are processed.

BTW, some of the settings have a check box in the Encoder tab, named Allow Job Segmenting. It's usually on by default but it wouldn't hurt to check.


Post back and let us know.


Russ

Jun 15, 2013 8:51 PM in response to Russ H

Thanks for the response Russ. What you describe is exactly the way I tried to set up my cluster. However, when I hit submit, only "this computer" shows up. And to make matters worse, I followed this procedure exactly on both my mac pro and my macbook pro and it didn't work in either place. Any other ideas? (I also searched this forum and found out that I am not unique with this problem. It seems to be hit or miss; it works for some users and not others.)

Steve

Jun 16, 2013 4:57 AM in response to Steven Cohen

When you instaledl the new apps, did you follow these steps?


I'm currently running both FCPX and FCS on the same partition on 10.6 and 10.7 without conflict (that I know of).

And running FCPX and Compressor on a partitioned drive. The good news is clusters are available on all three systems, so it can be done.


I agree with the observation that successful cluster set-up seems to be hit or miss, but I've found that applies principally to distributed processing among multiple machines. For clusters using a single Mac's multiple cores, I think the success rate is pretty high.


No question that the links between Qmaster and Compressor are fragile. And I lose that connection more often with the new pro software than with the old (and every now and then get the dreaded None when I submit). But so far I've always been able to get things running again with a minimum of down time and frustration.


The usual trouble-shooting fixes apply: trash preferences, repair permissions, reset BG Processing (from menu toolbar), clear caches. Compressor Repair does most of this automatically, and I find running it will often fix everything. I have also run OnyX – primarily to clean out caches – when CR wasn't successful.


Here is a valuable thread with great instructions from Warwick Teal about tackling Qmaster problems. I have tested a number of his ideas over the years and they're good.


Good luck.


Russ

Jun 16, 2013 9:21 AM in response to Russ H

Well Russ, here is what I have done with still no ability use quick cluster: Proper installation on non parttioned disc ( 2 computers) and on iMac that did not have FCS on it to begin with. Compressor repair X2; onyx; followed all of Warwick Teal's instructions to the letter twice. Did the hokey pokey and turned myself around. What a waste of time and money. Compressor 3.5 always worked flawlessly me for me before I started downloading these new editing apps. I'm glad I still have a non contaminated system on another hard-drive! I AM COMPLETELY FRUSTRATED.

Steve

Jun 16, 2013 1:30 PM in response to Steven Cohen

Hi Steve. Had to go out for a while.


Looked at your screens shots and you're right; they are correctly set.


Unsure what more to suggest.


Was sure that either trashing the Apple Qmaster folder in Applications Support (which has a batting average of 1000 for fixing my problems) or creating a test user would cure things for you.


Perhaps a fresh set of eyes will read this thread and chime in with something we've overlooked.


Russ

Jun 16, 2013 2:55 PM in response to Russ H

One bit of good news. I was able to get Compressor 3.5.1 to function normally again- cluster recognized, job segmenting, 96% cpu in use during encoding. If I had only been able to do that in the first place, I never would have bought Compressor 4 And wasted my money and both of our time. I thank you for all of your efforts. I'll let you know if Apple comes up with a fix.

Steve

Clusters- what am I doing wrong?

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