A network setup requires just a few steps. Note, that only properly licensed RealFlow Node can be used for simulations. Download the RealFlow “Job Manager” application bundle from Next Limit's → customer portal. You have to be a registered customer to get access to this area:
Installation & Configuration
The downloaded package contains two applications:
- Choose, which computer should be the manager and install the “Job Manager”.
- The “Job Node” program must be installed on all computers you want to use for simulations. This can also be the machine with the “Job Manager”.
- All nodes must share exactly the same RealFlow version.
Open RealFlow and go to File | RealFlow > Preferences > Job Manager:
- Install the “CmdSendJob” and “CmdSendPreviewJob” plugins with the “Select...” buttons.
- Under “Manager Location” enter the IP of the computer with the “Job Manager”, for example 192.168.2.1.
- The web interface is used to monitor the simulation's progress.
- Under “Default URL” enter http://manager_location:8080, for example http://192.168.2.1:8080
Here is an example screenshot:
Job Manager and Job Node Setup
Open the “Job Manager” and all “Job Nodes”. The nodes will start immediately to search for the manager. You will get a message like this (example only!):
Searching manager...
Broadcasting using port: 65456
node successfully initialized.
Receiving broadcast response from manager in port: 56364 at address 192.168.2.1
Manager found!
Node connection to Manager via TCP...
TCP socket to manager connected!
The manager will also confirm when new nodes are connected. If this process fails you should check
if the applications are blocked by a firewall
whether the ports are occupied, and change them if necessary (nodes' and manger's preferences)
the used IP addresses are correct and existing
all nodes are licensed.
Monitoring Network Jobs
Now the “Job Manager” can be reached via its web interface. Go to RealFlow and open
- Layout > Job Manager
- Alternatively, it is possible to open this tool from any web browser using the entry under “Default URL”.
- Under “Nodes” you should see all connected and running node machines.
Congratulations! Your RealFlow network is now ready to simulate.
Simulating
We have compiled more information for you to get you started:
- → “Nodes - IDOC” tells you what IDOCs are, which parameters they provide, and why they are necessary for network simulations.
- → “Quick Start Workflows - Working with IDOCs” tells you how to split simulations.
- → “RealFlow UI and Layout Elements - Job Manager” explains the web interface's components.
- → “Preferences and Settings - Job Manager” provides more information about how to configure the network.
- → “Preferences and Settings - Job Manager: Path Translation Rules” shows how to make the nodes find the simulation files.