Features

• Grid Computing

  Grid Computing is a form of distributed computing in which different parts of one or more processes are executed in parallel across computers connected to a network. As a result of the distributed parallel execution, the process is considerably accelerated. A computing Grid dynamically adjusts its operation according to the participating machines' status and availability, handling various disconnect and recovery scenarios. Lastly, a computing Grid guarantees that a process will correctly be executed regardless of the participating machines environment, file system or installation base.
  
  

• The Xoreax Grid Engine (XGE)

  XGE, the core technology behind IncrediBuild, is a powerful but easy to use Grid Computing engine for the Windows operating system. Using XGE, processes such as Visual Studio builds, make-based code and data builds, QA scripts, packaging procedures and even custom scripts and applications can easily be accelerated.

Benefits

XGE can be used to accelerate a variety of processes.

• Microsoft Visual Studio builds
  
  
  • Utilizing Grid Computing to Accelerate Visual Studio Builds

    IncrediBuild's Visual Studio Agent speeds up Visual Studio builds by distributing C/C++ compilation tasks across machines in the local network, cutting down C/C++ project build time by up to 90%. Fully integrated with the Visual Studio environment, it does not require any changes to source or project files and is effective immediately upon installation.

    When used in conjunction with the XGE Interfaces extension package, IncrediBuild also distributes execution of custom build steps, build events and custom build rules in Visual Studio projects.

    IncrediBuild does not replace the standard Visual Studio compiler. Instead, it executes the standard compiler in parallel, across multiple computers and processors, through the Xoreax Grid Engine (XGE). The compiler is executed in a special Virtual Environment which fully emulates the initiating machine's environment and file system, ensuring that files created on remote machines maintain compatibility with the initiating machine.
    
    

  • Running Distributed Builds from the Visual Studio IDE

    Once installed, An IncrediBuild toolbar and menu appear in the Microsoft Visual Studio development environment, offering IncrediBuild's distributed Build, Rebuild and Batch Build operations. Build progress and results are displayed in the Build Monitor, an improved version of VC's standard output window.

  
  
• Make-based code and data builds
  
  
  • Utilizing Grid Computing to Accelerate Make Builds

    Using the XGE Interfaces extension package, IncrediBuild can be used to accelerate execution of make-based builds by running make tasks across computers and processors in the local network. As with all distributed IncrediBuild jobs, all remotely performed tasks are run the Xoreax Grid Engine, fully emulating the initiating machine's environment and eliminating the need to copy files or install applications on remote machines.
    
    

  • From Parallel Make to Distributed Parallel Make

    Using the Automatic Interception Interface, execution of tools supporting a parallel make mode can be accelerated without requiring any changes to the makefile contents. This is achieved by intercepting execution of specific processes run by the make tool, and distributing their execution across computers and processors in the local network using the Xoreax Grid Engine, effectively transforming the parallel make mode into distributed parallel make.
    
    

  • Distributed Execution of Other Make Tools

    Make tools that do not support local parallel task execution can be accelerated using the Submission Interface. This involves minor modifications to the makefile contents.

  
  
• Custom applications and tools

  It is not uncommon to have applications (either developed in-house or by third party vendors) running routine, time-consuming and CPU-intensive processes. A few common examples are:
  
  

  • Build and Test management tools used to drive various processes.
  • In-house applications responsible for generating application-specific data files.
  • Applications running data-driven simulation or analysis procedures.
  • In-house implementations for code/data build processes.

  Using the XGE Interfaces extension package, IncrediBuild can be used to accelerate processes using distributed execution. Four different interfaces are available to cover different scenarios and requirements. As with all distributed IncrediBuild jobs, all remotely performed tasks are run through the Xoreax Grid Engine, fully emulating the initiating machine's environment and eliminating the need to copy files or install applications on remote machines.
  
  

• Development Scripts
  
  
  • Utilizing Grid Computing to Accelerate Development Scripts

    Batch files and other scripting languages are often used to run sequential processes such as data processing, QA scripts, product packaging procedures, code analysis, etc. Because most scripting languages are inherently sequential, these scripts' execution does not allow any form of parallelization, despite the fact that large portions of these scripts could benefit considerably from parallel execution.

    Using the XGE Interfaces extension package, IncrediBuild can accelerate these scripts by distributing execution of commands they run. As with all distributed IncrediBuild jobs, all remotely performed commands are run through the Xoreax Grid Engine, fully emulating the initiating machine's environment and eliminating the need to copy files or install applications on remote machines.

    Distributed Script execution is achieved using XGE's Submission Interface. This involves modifying the script so that it calls IncrediBuild's submission tool to execute the commands we wish to distribute, instead of calling these commands directly. The script execution may also be paused wherever it is necessary to wait for a group of commands to complete before proceeding with the next command.

  
  
• Automated QA Scripts
  
  
  • Utilizing Grid Computing to Accelerate Development Scripts

    Batch files and other scripting languages are often used to run sequential processes such as data processing, QA scripts, product packaging procedures, code analysis, etc. Because most scripting languages are inherently sequential, these scripts' execution does not allow any form of parallelization, despite the fact that large portions of these scripts could benefit considerably from parallel execution.

    Using the XGE Interfaces extension package, IncrediBuild can accelerate these scripts by distributing execution of commands they run. As with all distributed IncrediBuild jobs, all remotely performed commands are run through the Xoreax Grid Engine, fully emulating the initiating machine's environment and eliminating the need to copy files or install applications on remote machines.

    Distributed Script execution is achieved using XGE's Submission Interface. This involves modifying the script so that it calls IncrediBuild's submission tool to execute the commands we wish to distribute, instead of calling these commands directly. The script execution may also be paused wherever it is necessary to wait for a group of commands to complete before proceeding with the next command.