SoundPLAN - Distributed Computing

The SoundPLAN module Distributed Computing allows to processed time consuming calculations (i.e., Grid Noise Maps, City Noise Maps and Facade Noise Map) on multiple PCs at the same time. With increasing number of computers the calculation is completed in a fraction of the normal time. The time overhead is almost immeasurable.

With the installation of the SoundPLAN DC Server on each of the PCs that are supposed to help with calculations, an application is generated on these PC that functions as the communications center between the SoundPLAN host and the servers.  After all servers are on-line the Distributed Computing can be started from the host computers calculation core.

Starting Distributed Computing: Instead of starting the calculation by clicking on the green Start buttons, go to Menu Option  "Calculation" and select the last item in the list "Start Distributed Computing".

Once the Distributed Computing is started, a dialog box with the DC controls will open. The dialog box shows 2 windows.  The left window contains the PC's within your network and the right Windows lists the PC's that are part of Distributed Computing Network. To activate a PC for DC click on the name of the network PC and move the computer to the right window (i.e., click the right arrow).  The Host Computer will try to communicate with the new PC, when it lists the new PC in the field of the available PCs. 

Distributed Computing Dialog Box: Each connection is completed with a Call and a Response dialogue (see Status Column). If the call was made and the response was received, the DC Computer is ready to receive orders and go to work. After all systems are successfully connected.  Click on the "Start Calculation of all runs marked with ´yes´".

Following steps will follow: 

The tab "Graphics" shows the incoming results. As the results is presented as it is received on the Host Computer.

Test runs with 8 PC systems indicated that the administrative overhead is minimal and that the calculation time was reduced to 1/8 of the calculation time of a single system.

What is the value of Distributed Computing ?

• It utilizes the processing power of computers in your network
• Only the Host computer requires a license for the Distributed Computing
• The Distributed Computing software can be installed on any number of computers within the TCP/IP Network
• Easy Setup: To install DC on multiple systems takes less 1/2 hour.
• The computation time is reduced by adding more computers into the DC Network
  Grid Calculation Example:
  -  1 x 1.4 GHz Systems in 6 hours
  -  2 x 1.4 GHz Systems in 3 hours
  -  4 x 1.4 GHz Systems in 1.5 hours

System Requirements:

Windows Version: Win 95/98/ME/2000/XP/NT4
Note: NT 4 requires Service Pack 6+ Network protocol: TCP/IP