LightNet basics

Communication channels

To establish a working setup between machines, LightAct uses 3 communication channels:

• LightNet: this communication channel is for cluster and role management and real-time edits

• LightSync: this channel is for frame-locking of different machines.

• Asset transfer: this channel is for asset transfer. LightAct is using Robocopy for that.

File management

Primary machine is responsible for project file management and Asset ingestion and distribution. Usually the process is as follows:

1. the Project folder is established on the Primary machine.

2. Primary transfers the entire Project folder to all the machines in the cluster into their LightNetProjects folder and opened there.

3. Real-time edits are transfered in real-time as long as LightNet connection is active.

4. Asset ingestion and distribution across the cluster is managed from the Primary.

Setting up LightNet Cluster

To set up a LightNet cluster, the following steps must be done:

1. Network setup: in this step you will:

   1. set up LightNetProjects folder on all machines,

   2. set up LightNet Network properties and determine which Network Interface Card (NIC) will be used for which LightNet communication channel.

2. Setup the cluster means:

   1. Scanning the network and find all the machines on the network.

   2. Assigning correct role to every machine

   3. Establishing LightNet Cluster

   4. Establishing LightSync connection.

In subsequent pages we will proceed step-by-step.