achilles 0.0.171

Distributed computing for everyone in modern Python.

achilles

Extremely accessible distributed/parallel computing (B.Y.O.B. - Build Your Own Beowulf) in modern Python based on:

• Twisted;
• dill;
• multiprocess (a fork of multiprocessing that uses dill as its serializer); and,
• lessons learned from studying Hadoop, Apache Spark, Kubernetes, Apache Arrow, Parallel Python, Ray, Jug, Pathos, Disco, SCOOP, Cluster-Workers and the questions asked regarding these projects on StackOverflow.

The goal of the achilles project is to drastically reduce the barriers to entry for developers to use all of the computational power available on their networks by providing an accessible, highly flexible framework for building distributed/parallel computing applications with as little configuration and prior knowledge as possible.

As achilles continues to be actively developed, the project will be designed in alignment with our FOUR DEMANDS:

• achilles must be simple to use;
• achilles must 'just work' at all scales, from running all of the components on an individual's laptop to deployment across thousands of achilles_nodes;
• achilles must be scalable and accommodate 'big data' workloads (i.e. files too large to open in memory on a single machine);
• achilles should be fast as hell and regularly benchmarked against alternative solutions; and,
• achilles must be SECURE. Currently, achilles is not suitable for deployment outside of localhost. We are currently working on an SSH implementation using TwistedConch.

Consists of:

• achilles_server.py
  • Runs a Twisted TCP server (lineReceiver so that large packets aren't truncated) listening at the endpoint described in the .env configuration file. Establishes and maintains persistent connections with achilles_node(s), distributes computations among them at the instruction of the achilles_controller, and sends the result(s) to the achilles_controller in the response_mode specified by the developer.
• achilles_node.py
  • Connect to the achilles_server and receive ID assignment. Wait for a job to be started, receive a function over the wire, receive an argument over the wire, perform the function on the argument, return the result to the server and then wait for more arguments - keep feeding the server results/receiving new arguments until all arguments have been exhausted (hungry consumer, forceful feeder).
• achilles_controller.py
  • Connect to the achilles_server and instruct it which function should be performed against which arguments in the specified response_mode. Verify the job and wait for the results to be returned - achilles_server and its achilles_node(s) will do the rest.
  • Available commands in achilles_controller command interface (map API also exposed - see below for details/examples):
    • achilles_compute, cluster_status, kill_cluster, help

Configuration files:

• achilles_config.yaml
  • Use pyYaml to load the configuration file for a job into the achilles_controller if you decide to use the command_interface() CLI. See below for additional information on how to structure this file.
  • Args may be defined in this file.
• achilles_function.py
  • achilles_function() is serialized using dill and distributed to all connected clients as a part of the startJob() handshake initiated after the achilles_controller verifies the commencement of a job.
  • achilles_args() and achilles_callback() may also be defined in this file.
  • Can also be defined dynamically along with achilles_args() and achilles_callback(). See Usage for details/examples.
• .env
  • Use python-dotenv to load the local file into the system's environmental variables for configuration and authentication.
  • Basic security precaution. To-do: explore encryption.

Installation

pip install --upgrade achilles

Usage

Deploy achilles_server:

1. from achilles.lineReceiver.achilles_server import runAchillesServer
2. runAchillesServer() -> run an achilles_server using the specified HOST and PORT in the package's .env file (generate one if it does not exist).

Deploy achilles_node(s):

1. from achilles.lineReceiver.achilles_node import runAchillesNode
2. runAchillesNode() -> run an achilles_node that connects to the specified HOST and PORT in the package's .env file (generate one if it does not exist).

Either deploy achilles_controller or use map API in your own scripts:

1. from achilles.lineReceiver.achilles_node import runAchillesNode
2. runAchillesNode() -> run an achilles_controller that connects to the specified HOST and PORT in the package's .env file (generate one if it does not exist).
3. runAchillesNode() automatically calls command_interface() and presents the user with an easy-to-use CLI.

OR...

1. XXXX

achilles is in the early stages of active development and your suggestions/contributions are kindly welcomed. achilles is written and maintained by Alejandro Peña. Email me at adpena<3gmail.com.