Distributed volume rendering over a dynamically loaded heterogeneous network of computers
Subodh Kumar, Joseph G. Hennessey · 2007
Many scientific problems require either computationally expensive analysis, visualization, or both. Modern computer workstations connected by high-speed local area networks are used at low fractions of their potential while users read or edit documents on them, or are overloaded while users run complex analyses or visualizations on them. I have developed an algorithm for the solution of this general problem, supporting the distribution of heterogeneous computationally complex tasks over a network of heterogeneous computers. This algorithm uses the available computational resources with high efficiency. Additionally, the algorithm dynamically adapts to distributed user load, minimizing the performance impact on the distributed users. The particular problem for which the algorithm has been implemented is that of volume rendering, (Drebin, Carpenter et al. 1988), an important visualization technique for medical researchers. The rendering problem is a member of the class of general problems that the algorithm solves. The algorithm and its implementation, for this rendering problem, provide fast and consistent rendering performance on all available computers with little impact on other users.