Siemens' Clustering Software for Graphics Workstations

Putting a number of computers to work on a project can vastly multiply the processing power that is being used to accomplish your goal. Inside a computer, we have can have two or more processors working together on tasks like rendering, provided the software knows how to split up the tasks. Clustering software does basically the same thing only it makes use of the processing power of separate machines that are linked together via some sort of network, whether it's a LAN or the Internet. This week at SIGGRAPH in Los Angeles, Siemens showed off its Real-Time Graphics Ensemble (RTGE), a new software app that turns networks of PCs into virtual graphic workstations. Siemens says that because RTGE software enables networked PCs to create high quality visualizations via graphics clusters, the technology reduces the costs that once made 3D applications prohibitive. The company also says that RTGE-powered PCs can reduce design-production costs from three to ten times or more. Details will soon be available at the RTGE website .