supercomputer

[dragonlord2003]

hey guys.ok i think i'm gonna build a beowulf (but ideas about doing that in xp still welcome)
the reason why i don't wanna use linux is the simple fact that i might not find a linux version of gordian knot and virtual dub..these r the apps i use to encode videos
and i've got a 10 mbps LAN...how bad is that?
we're gonna be using 4 machines..all amds 2 GHZ
let me know what u guys think
thanx
p.s.mike....this is my way of finding info i think u should suggest some "expensive software"..if u can find some coz i'm rich but it better work for win xp..(message not meant to be mean)

[bombledmonk]

This thread might give you some ideas.
http://www.techimo.com/forum/t127599.html

[Redwolf]

bomble, you beat me to it!

I'm kinda suprised at how many of you are telling him to give up right now. Even for the 'screwing around' factor it's a worthy quest. I would get a head start dipping into Linux/UNIX though DL2003. You need to know how to work Linux to get a dual computer out of it. If you need some crash courses, just ask and we'll post up some good starting piont websites for ya.

[Jeordiewhite]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragonlord2003

hey guys.ok i think i'm gonna build a beowulf (but ideas about doing that in xp still welcome)
the reason why i don't wanna use linux is the simple fact that i might not find a linux version of gordian knot and virtual dub..these r the apps i use to encode videos
and i've got a 10 mbps LAN...how bad is that?
we're gonna be using 4 machines..all amds 2 GHZ
let me know what u guys think
thanx
p.s.mike....this is my way of finding info i think u should suggest some "expensive software"..if u can find some coz i'm rich but it better work for win xp..(message not meant to be mean)

Well the coaxile you mentioned earlier or thicknet/thinnet as it's refered to, would be too slow. Likely you have an old isa slot card or possibly a pci card that would be slow. Either way, if you wanted realtime encoding, lightpipe or gigabit ethernet would be ideal. However I dont think you will acheive what you are after and get the results you want even with beowulf.

While I do encourage grid computing, having two nodes just for video rendering or just encoding i'm assuming might not be as fast as you might think. However you can always try and find something along the lines of linux equivilant movie encoders or wine to emulate your windows software. I wouldn't know the expected outcomes using cinema craft encoder or tmpgenc(only two i've used), they tend to rely on features like SSE, SSE2, MMX sort of instructions to help encode and using beowolf might not fully take advantage or even use. Meaning it might not be too optimized running(not exactly sure on how that will turn out).

Just do some reading up on beowolf and linux, especially which one will be easy enough for you and read up on beowolf before completely jumping in so your not way over your head and find your computer doesn't boot due to wiping out windows on accident by not changing an installer setting etc etc.
http://www.beowulf.org/overview/howto.html
http://www.phy.duke.edu/~rgb/Beowulf...ook/index.html