Setting up each cluster node

For large scale nDisplay setups involving clusters, each node needs some pre-requisits setup before nDisplay can function.

These include:

• Setting up the nDisplay listener to run on Startup

• Mapping a network drive for the content

• Setting the IP address and recording it

• Ensuring that firewall permissions are granted

• Syncronising the displays

• Testing with test content.

nDisplay Switchboard Listener

This is the easiest part of the install as we’ve automated the process.

1. Download this zip: nDisplay Cluster Installation Files

2. Extract it to the desktop of the PC.

3. Run the InstallClusterFiles.bat batch file (and allow administrator privilages)

4. Run C:/Program Files/Switchboard/switchboard_Listener.exe

The last step is optional, because once a restart is completed the listener will run automatically every time.

However, it’s helpful to do after due to it asking for firewall access on it’s first run.

Mapping a network drive for the content

There are two ways to do this. The easiest way is to share a drive on the leading machine, and then allow the cluster nodes to access that drive and have it as a mapped drive. The alternative is to use a script or piece of software to manually copy the files between the machines as they are added.

Both systems have their advantages and disadvantages, but with the creation and widespread use of 10gig networking the former is the best solution.

To share a drive, right click on the drive and select properties

Open

Then click Sharing and then Advanced Sharing

Open

Then click the Share This Folder checkbox

Click Add, and give the folder a name (we use Content)

Click Okay, and Apply.

To map the drive on another machine

1. Ensure that the drive letter isn’t in use.

   1. If the drive letter is in use, you’ll need to go to Disc Management and change the drive. Our machines always come shipped with their own D drive. but in this case we don’t need it and would prefer (for ease of use) that D is used for the network drive.

   2. Within disc management, you can select the drive you don’t want to have the current assignment, right click and select change Change Drive Letter and Paths

2. In an Explorer window, right click This PC and select Map Network Drive

    

3. Finally select the drive letter you’d like to use, and then copy in the Network Address from earlier
   
   

4. Selecting Finish will then create the drive and open it to reveal it’s contence.

Setting the IP Address

Our preffered method for setting IP addresses is via reserved IP’s. In our case this is done on the Netgate Gateway. We prefer this method over using Static IP’s as it creates less long term headaches when components within the system need to be swapped out.

We like to keep each node of the cluster alligned with it’s number in the cluster. So in our case:

• Our cluster leader, is known as Node_0. So it has an ip address of 192.168.1.50

• Our first cluster work node, is known as Node_1. So has the IP address of 192.168.1.51

The process of reserving an IP Address will be different depending on where it’s done within your specific network archetecture. So it won’t be documented here. However, if someone else is going to reserve the IP addresses for you; the information they will ask for is:

• The IP you’d like to give each machine

• The mac address of each machine.

Firewall permissions

Make sure all ethernet ports are set to Private via the network settings page.

Also make sure that any applications that have been installed have their private firewall permission given.

Synchronising Displays

Testing