On 05 23, 07, at 7:43 PM, Tata Dano wrote:
hello guys,
I just would like to inquire if clustering technology can be used
for offline games to speed up its processing...
what exactly would you need to run in parallel?
"theoretically" yes it can and i don't know if peer-to-peer is being
used in massively multiplayer gaming.
if you mean distributing the code across the cluster to improve game
play...? then practically speaking, i don't think it would be worth
the experience for now. it would also be a matter of having the game
code (which part) to be executed in parallel and that's kinda hard to
do since most games that have been written take advantage of single
cpus. we're only starting to see games taking advantage of multicore
cpus and multicore/multiple gpus.
hmmm... since a lot of gaming is done in real-time... you'd also
have to consider latency across the cluster nodes and its
practicality of sending results across that cluster. it may be that
it would be practical to simply do what gamers have done--- buy the
fastest gpu to process graphics or have two or more gpus to processes
your game graphics. you might also consider getting that physics
graphics card expansion. Max out your ram--- 2GB at least big. when
you look at the gpu-cpu-memory of such a box--- that's a what a
"cluster" designed for gaming means anyway.
Any advice? Thanks in a million.
there are linux-based dedicated game servers for things like star
wars jedi academy (quake engine) for example. as well as dedicated
warcraft 3 servers.
That said... there is a linux flight simulator. perhaps that one can
be used as a test case to take advantage of a cluster of cpus. then
again, like i said multiple cpus+gpus+physics engine may be the
advantage you're looking for.
Can someone here provide me a how-to and what do i need to setup a
clustering with a linux machine?
Thanks again.
hardware--- lan (consider 1 gigabit v. 100mbps), your cpus--- perhaps
it would be practical to have the latest and greatest multicore cpu
as opposed to using ancient hardware.
routers and switches.
cooling--- imagine packing a 15 square meter room of 20 cpus and not
a single aircon... it can be pretty hot.
you will need cluster management tools.
what will your network topology be? will your cluster be a beowulf..?
a cluster of workstations...? etc.
you will need also to identify what portion of the game are you going
to use in parallel and it will play a role in your design.
GCC 4.2 has incorporated openMP--- which in a nutshell makes it
"easier" to do parallel code.
you might also checkout distcc--- will it be helpful in actual game
play--- dunno. from what you may want to do it may be great for
compiling your code though.
redhat has excellent cluster software. you might also checkout the
beowulf site as starting points.
as this is a linux mailing list--- this is heresy: look into XGrid
from Apple. it practically makes clustering SO bloody easy. there is
an Xgrid code for linux i think somewhere, i forget if its still in
play.
it all boils down to this: ask google for help. google is your friend.
And hey--- let me know in private how things are (email is below).
clustering is sort of a hobby/interest of mine.
cheers and good luck.
------------
Cocoy Dayao
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
big mango - http://arkangel1a.blogspot.com
"People who are really serious about software should make their own
hardware." --Alan Kay
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