distributed builds :: Pulse feature tour
Pulse has the ability to distribute builds across multiple agent machines allowing continuous parallel and multi-platform building and testing. Loosely connected build agents and configurable build stages provide the building blocks of a powerful distributed build system.
Configure build agents
Configuration of remote agents is performed via the web interface. Once setup, Pulse will regularly ping the agents to determine when they are available for builds. This loosely-connected model allows you to use agents that are not always available allowing you to make the most of your available resources and, wherever possible, to minimise build times.
Agent servers are automatically upgraded when you upgrade your Pulse master server. This makes administration of large agent farms a snap!
Build stages
Builds can be configured to run on one or more agents by adding build stages. Stages are configured to run against any capable agent or a specific agent. You can:
- Configure builds that run across multiple agents: in parallel where possible. The build only succeeds if it passes on all agents.
- Configure external resources: for agents to test against different third-party dependencies (e.g. different JVMs).
- Dispatch builds to agents based on capabilities: allowing efficient use of an agent pool.
