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

Robert Townsend bf-funboard@blender.org
Wed, 3 Sep 2003 21:56:50 -0700 (PDT)


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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