Multiple computers with FSX - Synchronizing systems?

[sagrada737]

Hi Folks,

I might not be asking this question correctly...   

But, is it possible to synchronize multiple computers (2 or more) running FSX (each running a different view) to improve frame-rate for the outside undocked views?

I wonder if this is a solution for a 5-monitor setup?

Mike

[XOrionFE]

Absolutely Mike,

The program you need is called Wideview

http://www.wideview.it/

I can show you it on my setup when you are here Saturday as that is how I run FSX. 

Scott

[fordgt40]

Mike

There is also an Opusfsx product called liveview. Link here

http://www.opussoftware.co.uk/opusfsi/products.htm

David

[XOrionFE]

Did anyone here ever get Opus to work right David?   I thought it had problems with what we do but maybe wrong.   Drawback of Wideview to me is the weather syncing.  Never got it to work well.  If opus works and handles it better it would be interesting to test.

Scott

[fordgt40]

Scott

I have only tinkered with it, but need to try it properly - before I buy my 60 inch leds or perhaps  projectors  .

Will post here when done.

Regards

David

[sluyt050]

I am receiving parts now for 2 extra client PC's. In the coming weeks I will test FSX + OpusFSX in a 3 PC's/Vieuws configuration.

[JOHN_BMWPILOT]

Hi guys, first post here. I usually run FSX, i dont have a sim set up yet, just ch yoke with throttles and 24" monitor.  i'm trying to figure out what it would take Computer wise to run xplane. i figured it would be best if i asked someone who uses it if their setup runs it well. any pointers whould be appreciated. thanks. john

[Kennair]

Hi John and welcome to this forum.  If you do a quick search you'll find lots of current reference to X-Plane 10 and the associated PC requirements.  XOrionFE (Scott) and ryhsb are two exponents of X-Plane and in particular using a multiple PC configuration.  In short you should get the most powerful you can afford.  Whatever is required to run FSX stands for X-Plane as well but you might get a better result out of XP depending on your subjective view and needs.

Ken.

[sluyt050]

Hi Folks,

I might not be asking this question correctly...   

But, is it possible to synchronize multiple computers (2 or more) running FSX (each running a different view) to improve frame-rate for the outside undocked views?

I wonder if this is a solution for a 5-monitor setup?

Mike

Earlier I wrote that I was testing OpusFSX. I recently built a 210 deg. 3 projector (3840 x 800 pixels) setup using 3 x 87" flat screens (see picture).  I use 1 server (only) for 2D panels and hardware controls and hopefully later hardware panels, and 3 client scenery only PC's.

Besides OpusFSX, I also tested (and bought) WidevieW. My conclusion is that WideView is a clear winner in terms of smooth synchronization. I am really impressed by the smoothness of the scenery on the client machines (intellismooth!). Moreover, WidevieW has a better integration with FSX and has more fine tuning capabilities than OpusFSX. Anyway, with OpusFSX I could not get get rid of stuttering clients. So for me that was a no go. Also real-time weather synchronization with OpusFSX for me was negative. WidevieW did quite well with static weather synchronization. So far my 2 cents.

[XOrionFE]

Looking good Edward

Would be good to hear any tips on Wideview settings you have learned.   To me the traffic sync is still an issue even though I have widetraffic and weather doesnt sync all the time across all.

Otherwise not bad.

[FredK]

Regarding WideView.....

I am very pleased with how WideView runs on my system.  I have a dedicated WideView server and 3 clients.  Each are run on I7/950 3.06ghz computers with no overclocking (2 years old now). I have no stutters whatsoever. On the clients most sliders are at or near max except for vehicles and cloud draw.  AI(UT2) is set at 60% (that can easily be pushed further I believe if desired).  Sliders on the server are all set at minimums. No special scenery is loaded on the server except where absolutely necessary (to sync runways etc.). Interestingly I use dynamic weather as set in FSX and have found it works very well...I actually think it is beneficial since it forces a resync every 15 minutes....sort of keeps everything fresh.

The only issue is that my clouds sync only 90-95% of the time.  The issue for the most part is with close-in individual clouds, not general weather layers. Frankly this does not bother me much...I can live with it....sometimes I don't even notice it.  The thing is that most of the time it does work.

I did much testing with WideView settings and the following is what works for me (settings are the same for both the server and clients):

Priority: Max
UPD Rate: 1
Intel Smooth Buffer: 250
Cores: 3/4 (although I have not experimented at all with that)

FSX Framerate: "Unlimited" on both the server and clients

The "unlimited" frame rate is controversial if you follow the forums, but it is a definite reality for me (I've gone back and forth on this many times). I typically fly in some of the most taxing areas.....for example New York metro using photorealistic scenery and special airport scenery.  I am perfectly smooth near or on the ground at JFK and LGA etc. and of course in the air.  There is a thread of logic in the forums that support this however.  Others have reported that "unlimited" does have an advantage in areas of high scenery complexity while a fixed framerate is better at 30,000 feet. Since FL300 is not a problem for me anyhow it all works best for me this way.

I also use Nvidia Inspector with settings as prescribed in the Flight1 SimForums for my video card setup.

[blueskydriver]

Just curious about something...you run a server with three clients based on NIC's and a hub/switch, but what would it be like if you had three NIC's in the server box with a crossover cables to each one? Better yet, is there anyway to cross talk via firewire 400/800 or higher?

The point is, in the traditional sense standard network is 100/1000 and you're dealing with packets, where crossover, firewire and etc is more like data transfer based on Windows file sharing (in a way of putting it). If the NIC's could be removed from the data chain, data speeds going from all machines should be faster and help WideView...?

John

[FredK]

John -

An interesting idea. Very simple to do so it is hard to fathom that it would be overlooked. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that it is a dynamic streaming data exchange that's required.

I suggest you put that one out on the WideView forum.  Luciano is the expert and would have a quick answer. Just for curiosity sake.

Fred

[XOrionFE]

Fred,

If a computer is dedicated to being the server and not requiring any graphics how low do you think it can be in specs?  I have my computers setup to run wideview or x-plane and I still want to keep the wideview option when I feel like running orbx scenery and also because all my FDS radios are not supported in X-Plane just yet.    That said, in both X-plane and Wideview my center screen computer is also running as the server.   I am thinking of perhaps building up one more smaller computer for the server function in either case.    I have an extra GTX 275 card and since graphics arent needed I figure I have that covered.    I do have an extra older AMD64 X2 Core 2 Duo system with 8 gig of memory and a decent sized harddrive with XP 64 bit currently loaded on it that may even suffice?

Scott

[FredK]

Scott -

I think what you have should work fine as a server.  It is certainly worth a try. When I upraded my computers 2 years ago to I7s they were replacing ones that were 3-4 years old (the last of the high ghz pentiums that through off an incredible amount of heat if you remember). With those old computers there were definite limitations in FSX performance overall of course although having a dedicated (non-visual) server was a definite plus even then. Back then a dedicated server was not a must for WideView since there was no lag between server and clients with the earlier WideView versions. Now there is a slight momentary lag so you do need a server for optimal synchronization.  When I invested in the new computers I did not know what to expect so I bought the best possible for both server and clients at the time, but it was arguably overkill for the server. For me right now there are pretty much no issues with FSX performance at all.....the hardware finally caught up to what was required to run the software. My unlimited FPS performance at JFK with sliders set as described previously runs in excess of 25 (and off the charts elsewhere), and that is using somewhat dated GTX470 video cards.

Fred

[cnoblesd01]

Regarding WideView.....

I am very pleased with how WideView runs on my system.  I have a dedicated WideView server and 3 clients.  Each are run on I7/950 3.06ghz computers with no overclocking (2 years old now). I have no stutters whatsoever. On the clients most sliders are at or near max except for vehicles and cloud draw.  AI(UT2) is set at 60% (that can easily be pushed further I believe if desired).  Sliders on the server are all set at minimums. No special scenery is loaded on the server except where absolutely necessary (to sync runways etc.). Interestingly I use dynamic weather as set in FSX and have found it works very well...I actually think it is beneficial since it forces a resync every 15 minutes....sort of keeps everything fresh.

The only issue is that my clouds sync only 90-95% of the time.  The issue for the most part is with close-in individual clouds, not general weather layers. Frankly this does not bother me much...I can live with it....sometimes I don't even notice it.  The thing is that most of the time it does work.

I did much testing with WideView settings and the following is what works for me (settings are the same for both the server and clients):

Priority: Max
UPD Rate: 1
Intel Smooth Buffer: 250
Cores: 3/4 (although I have not experimented at all with that)

FSX Framerate: "Unlimited" on both the server and clients

Hi FredK -

I was searching for some answers that you may have answered - I was hoping for a couple other details.  So my biggest issue is realestate - I have one large monitor.  Judging from your post, you were able to effectively "off-load" some basic work (like AI traffic and weather) to other computers.  Did I read that right? 

So the question I have - which computer do you actively "fly" from?  The one set to all low on the sliders??

Thanks!