[Bf-funboard] Use idle online internet computers as a distributed rendering engine

[Matt Ebb]

As a sort of 'aside', here's some interesting related information that I
think would be very useful to include in any network rendering stuff for
Blender:

http://www.apple.com/macosx/jaguar/rendezvous.html
http://a256.g.akamai.net/7/256/51/40eab2299de09b/www.apple.com/macosx/pdfs/Rendezvous_TB.pdf

It's an open standard and open source.

Matt


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Townsend" <rtown0324@yahoo.com>
To: <bf-funboard@blender.org>
Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2003 2:56 PM
Subject: [Bf-funboard] Use idle online internet computers as a distributed
rendering engine


> Enhancement request
>
> Title:
> Use idle online internet computers as a distributed
> rendering engine.
>
> Brief Overview:
> Given the amount of computing power required to render
> a long and complex animation, modify Blender so it can
> operate as a background renderer that can be used on
> internet connected computers.  Under Windows, this
> would take the form of a custom screen saver that
> includes Blender and a wrapper that knows how to talk
> with a central server and execute render jobs
> requested by the server.  The general public would be
> asked to download this screen saver and to leave their
> computers on overnight and connected to the internet.
> When the screen saver kicks in, it would  request a
> rendering job from the central server, and, when
> finished, post the completed render job back to the
> server or user requesting the job.  There is
> precedence for use of this type of screen saver at the
> following url:
> http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/
> SETI is the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence.
> The SETI at Home project asks the general public to
> download a custom screen saver in the same manner that
> I'm suggesting.  The purpose is to crunch scientific
> data.  Statistics are available on their web site
> concerning the number of users, computing power
> generated, etc.
>
> Some issues:
>
> - Bandwidth isn't free, so users should be able to
> limit their screen saver bandwidth usage.
> - Users and the render job server operator should be
> able to make money by accepting paid rendering jobs,
> and giving preference to paid jobs.  Note: this is a
> way to make money and support an open source project
> like Blender.  Users that install the screen saver
> could get a percentage of the render job cost.
> - Must be able to break up a rendering job into many
> pieces for many different computers.
> - When the screen saver becomes active, it must
> communicate with the render job server.  It must post
> user configured information and request a job.  It
> would then render the job and send the result back to
> the server or user requesting the job.
>
> I like this idea.  But, it's just an idea, and if
> seriously considered should be reviewed by many for
> both technical and business feasibility.
>
> Robert S Townsend
> Riverside, California, USA
>
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