Network Distribution

Overview

FASTBuild can scale compilation across the network to utilize additional CPU power to speed up a build.

Distribution requires:

Compilation Settings

Some compilation settings are incompatible with distribution. If any object cannot be safely distributed, it will automatically be built locally instead. A build can safely mix distributable and non-distributable objects.

GCC/SNC/Clang

MSVC

Worker Discovery

Workers are discovered through a brokerage location. The brokerage location is a network path accessible from both the host and workers. The brokerage path is configured by:

Windows and UNC format paths are supported.

Workers signal their availability by writing a token to this location. Clients discover workers by checking this location.

Starting a Worker

A worker is started by running the FBuildWorker.exe. With a configured Brokerage Path, it will signal its availability to clients.

Activation of Distribution

To start a distributed build, add -dist on the command line. Any distributable tasks will be passed to available workers.