TerraBatch
Introduction
TerraBatch is a Windows application for batch processing TerraScan, TerraPhoto and TerraMatch tasks. Thus, it's an alternative method for running processes that TerraScan, TerraPhoto and TerraMatch can run as well.
The advantages of using TerraBatch are:
•run batch processes without tying up CAD software
•run multiple instances on one computer to speed up a task
•distribute processing to multiple computers to speed up a task
Terminology
Master computer is a computer where a human user initiates a task with TerraScan, TerraPhoto or TerraMatch.
Batch computer is a computer processing tasks initiated from some other computer. Batch computer can be a computer without a human operator. A master computer can act as a batch computer for tasks initiated from other computers.
Working segment is a set of data to be processed. Working segment can be, for example:
•one TerraScan project block
•one TerraPhoto image
Distributed processing is computation that involves multiple computers. One computer acts as master computer and other computers act as batch computers.
Single computer processing is computation that takes place on one computer only. TerraBatch can run multiple program instances concurrently on the same computer.
Software components
TerraScan / TerraPhoto / TerraMatch launches a task to be processed by TerraBatch. This may be, for example:
•a macro running on each project block.
•compute feature points for every image.
TerraDispatcher runs on a master computer and dispatches working segments to participating computers. This means
•for the master computer: TerraDispatcher starts TerraBatch with a segment assigned.
•for Batch computers: TerraDispatcher writes segment assignment as a file for the TerraBatchService.
TerraDispatcher has a graphical user interface where the user can monitor a task and modify the way of how a task is processed.
TerraBatchService is a service running on a batch computer. It checks regularly for segment assignment files that appear in \terra64\queue on the master computer. If an assignment file is found, it launches TerraBatch. TerraBatchService has no user interface.
TerraBatch is an application which processes one working segment at a time. TerraBatch has no user interface.
The old TerraBatch application (tslave.exe) is not replaced by the new TerraBatch application (TerraSlave.exe). This means, the old application is still available, for example, for user-developed software that access TerraBatch.
