Parallax Self-Hosting On Modal/Baseten: Lattica Issues

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Parallax Self-Hosting on Modal/Baseten: Lattica Issues

Are you encountering problems while trying to self-host Parallax on Modal or Baseten? You're not alone! This article dives into a specific issue related to Lattica limitations that can prevent Parallax from running correctly on cloud servers. We'll explore the problem, the error messages you might encounter, and discuss whether Parallax is truly incompatible with self-hosting.

The Problem: Parallax and Lattica on Modal/Baseten

Many users, like yourself, are drawn to the idea of self-hosting Parallax on cloud platforms like Modal and Baseten. The goal is simple: to leverage the power of cloud servers, especially those with GPUs, to run Parallax smoothly. However, a stumbling block arises due to limitations within the Lattica library, which Parallax relies on. This limitation manifests as an inability to retrieve the peer ID, a crucial piece of information for Parallax to function correctly.

Replicating the Issue: Deploying Parallax on Modal

To illustrate the problem, let's walk through a simplified deployment process on Modal. Here's a basic deploy_modal.py script:

import sys
import modal

image = modal.Image.from_dockerfile("./docker/Dockerfile.hopper")

app = modal.App("art-parallax", image=image)


@app.function(gpu="H100")
@modal.asgi_app()
def fastapi_app():
  from src.backend.main import app
  return app

This script defines a Modal application that uses a Dockerfile (./docker/Dockerfile.hopper) to build an image. It then deploys a FastAPI application within a Modal function, requesting a GPU resource (H100 in this case). The deployment is triggered using the following command:

modal deploy deploy_modal.py

The Expected vs. The Actual: A Cloud-Shaped Disappointment

The expected behavior is that the container and all its components should run seamlessly in the cloud, mirroring the performance on a local system. However, the actual behavior often involves a cascade of errors, culminating in a frustrating standstill.

Decoding the Error Message: A Deep Dive into the Traceback

The error message is extensive, but the key part lies in the RuntimeError: Failed to get peer ID: 'NoneType' object has no attribute 'peer_id'. Let's break down the traceback to understand how we arrive at this error:

  1. The error originates within the lattica.client.py file, specifically in the peer_id() function. This function is responsible for retrieving the peer ID, a unique identifier for the Parallax instance.
  2. The scheduler_manage.py file attempts to obtain the peer ID using self.lattica.peer_id(). This suggests that the issue stems from how Parallax interacts with the Lattica client to get its identity.
  3. The get_cluster_status() function in scheduler_manage.py calls get_peer_id(), indicating that the peer ID is crucial for determining the cluster's status.
  4. The error propagates through the FastAPI application, passing through Starlette's middleware layers for error handling, CORS, and exception management.
  5. The initial trigger is within main.py, in the stream_cluster_status function, where the cluster status is retrieved and streamed as JSON data. This highlights that the problem occurs during the process of fetching and presenting the cluster's operational state.

In essence, the error arises because the Lattica client fails to provide a valid peer ID, leading to a chain reaction of failures within Parallax's core functionalities. This issue seems to be specific to cloud environments like Modal and Baseten, raising questions about Parallax's compatibility with self-hosting on such platforms.

Is Parallax Incompatible with Cloud Server Self-Hosting?

This is the million-dollar question. The error encountered strongly suggests a compatibility issue between Parallax and the Lattica library within the context of cloud server environments like Modal and Baseten. The inability to retrieve a peer ID effectively halts Parallax's ability to function correctly.

Potential Causes and Lattica Limitations

The error message points towards a Lattica limitation as the root cause. It's plausible that Lattica, in its current implementation, doesn't fully support the network configurations or environmental variables present in Modal or Baseten's infrastructure. The peer ID retrieval process might rely on certain assumptions about the network environment that don't hold true in these cloud platforms.

Exploring Alternatives and Workarounds

While the error seems definitive, it's premature to declare Parallax completely incompatible with cloud self-hosting. Several avenues remain unexplored:

  1. Lattica Updates and Configuration: It's possible that future updates to Lattica might address this compatibility issue. Additionally, specific configuration options within Lattica might need tweaking to align with the network environment of Modal and Baseten.
  2. Parallax Configuration: Similar to Lattica, Parallax itself might have configuration parameters that influence how it interacts with Lattica and retrieves the peer ID. Investigating these settings could reveal a potential workaround.
  3. Alternative Deployment Strategies: Exploring different deployment strategies on Modal and Baseten might circumvent the issue. For instance, deploying Parallax as a separate service or adjusting the network settings of the Modal application could potentially resolve the problem.
  4. Alternative Cloud Platforms: While Modal and Baseten are powerful platforms, other cloud providers might offer environments that are more compatible with Parallax and Lattica. Testing Parallax on platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure could provide valuable insights.

Seeking Pointers: What's the Next Step?

If you're facing this issue, here are some actionable steps you can take:

  1. Consult the Parallax and Lattica Documentation: Dive deep into the official documentation for both Parallax and Lattica. Look for sections related to cloud deployment, networking, and troubleshooting.
  2. Engage with the Community: Reach out to the Parallax and Lattica communities. Forums, mailing lists, and issue trackers are valuable resources for seeking help and sharing your experiences.
  3. File Bug Reports: If you've identified a potential bug in either Parallax or Lattica, file a detailed bug report. This helps the developers understand the issue and prioritize a fix.
  4. Experiment with Configurations: Try different configurations for both Parallax and Lattica. Adjust network settings, environment variables, and other parameters to see if you can identify a workaround.

Conclusion: Parallax and the Cloud – A Work in Progress

While the current situation presents a challenge for self-hosting Parallax on Modal and Baseten due to Lattica limitations, it doesn't necessarily signify a dead end. By understanding the error, exploring potential causes, and actively seeking solutions, the community can work towards making Parallax fully compatible with cloud server environments.

Stay tuned for updates and share your experiences! Together, we can unravel the complexities of cloud deployment and bring the power of Parallax to a wider audience. Remember to always check the latest versions of Parallax and its dependencies, as updates often include bug fixes and compatibility improvements.