Can't use Qmaster; need help

Question

Hi all,
I've read all the recent threads here and I've tried everything everyone has suggested but Qmaster is still not working for me. Here's my setup:
* Quad G5 with OS X 10.4.4 with all updates (incl. QT 7.1)
* Intel Mac mini; OS same as above
* Final Cut Studio 5.1 on G5
* Qmaster alone on mini
* connected via switch on same subnet
I tried the quick setup guide and it didn't work. Jobs get processed but only by the controller.
I've tried setting up a manual cluster using Qadministrator but have the same problem: on the mini, the icon in the toolbar flashes green but then goes back to grey and the job is processed on the G5.
I used Media Manager in FCP to copy all the media and the sequence to a network share that the mini had access to (read and write). I then exported the sequence from FCP as a refernce movie to the same location. I specified that Compressor should never copy the source. I also made sure the setting in Compressor didn't require to FCP to be installed on all the nodes.
When that didn't work, I opened the Qmaster preferences and set the cluster storage to be the same network share; I'm not sure if that's neccessary.
I've just about given up with Qmaster. I've tried everything I can think of and tried all the tips here with no luck at all. I'd much appreciate any advice.
Regards,
fh

Answer 1

Fergus,
I am also new on this thing. I also encountered problems which are not yet answered in this forum. I am continuing to fix it though. On the other hand, I was able to successfully set up my Qmaster. This is what I did:
1. Make sure that FIREWALL is disabled to all computers.
2. Make sure all computers have the application, i.e. Shake, installed.
3. If you have Compressor in your system. Make sure that Apple Qmaster apps have the same version with the Compressor App.
4. Set up one computer as a Cluster controller. Go to it's systems prefs > Apple Qmaster. Enable "Services and Controller Cluster". Make sure you have checked the "Managed" option in the Services. The click "Start Sharing". If you have enabled the sharing before, you may want to reset it first by pressing "Option" button, the "Start Sharing" button will be converted to "Reset Services".
5. Set up your other computers a service nodes. Go to it's systems prefs > Apple Qmaster. Enable "Services Only" option. If you have enabled the sharing before, you may want to reset it first by pressing "Option" button, the "Start Sharing" button will be converted to "Reset Services".
6. Get back to your Computer hosted as a cluster controller. Open Apple Qadministrator. Then create a new cluster. You should be able to see now that names of the service nodes in the "Qmaster Service Browser". Add them, to the Cluster you've just made.
7. When your finished, click on "Apply."
8. Open "Apple Qmaster" application to the computer where you want to submit a job. You should be able to see now the name of the cluster you've made on the "Submit to" field.
9. Add a job, say Shake, by clicking on the sign or drag and drop the shake script in the Apple Qmaster field.
10. Double click on the submitted job. And make sure you have the correct path for your shake application in the shake field. Something like this: /Applications/Shake/shake.app/Contents/MacOS/shake
11. Click "OK".
12. Click "Submit".
13. If you followed it correctly. You should be able to see the processing of your submitted jod in the "Batch Monitor" window.
Hope it helps.
Cheers!