Preallocated App
A Preallocated App means the Unreal Pixel Streaming application is already running 24/7 on streamer machines. When a user accesses the streaming URL, they are instantly connected to an existing running instance instead of waiting for the app to boot.
This approach significantly reduces load time and improves the overall user experience, especially for production environments.
How Preallocated App Works
The streaming application is launched and kept running continuously on streamer machines
No cold start occurs when a user connects
Users are connected within a few seconds
Ideal for demos, live events, and high-traffic applications
When to Use Preallocated App
Preallocated Apps are recommended when:
Instant connection is a priority
Application is accessed frequently
Live demos or public-facing experiences are required
User wait time must be minimized
Configuration Guide
Step 1. Update the config_EL.json
Update your config_EL.json file with the following parameters and save the file.
Configuration Template
{
"preAllocateApp_configurationName": "your_config_name",
"preAllocateApp_name": "your_app_name", // the app you want to pre allocate
"preAllocateApp_owner": "your_username",
"preAllocateApps": true,
"apiKey": "your_api_key_here"
}Example Configuration
{
"preAllocateApp_configurationName": "default",
"preAllocateApp_name": "E3DSFeaturesTemplate",
"preAllocateApp_owner": "demo",
"preAllocateApps": true,
"apiKey": "U2FsdGVkX1...rk8sKY="
}
Figure 1. Update the config_EL.json file
Step 2. Launch EL.exe file
After updating the configuration file, launch the EL.exe file.
Figure 2. Launch the EL.exe
Once launched:
The application will automatically start running on the streamer machine
When a user accesses the streaming URL, they will be connected instantly
The application loads significantly faster on the user’s end
Below is a video example demonstrating the behavior after launching EL.exe.
Important Notes
Ensure streamer machines are properly sized to handle continuous workloads
Monitor GPU and memory usage regularly
Disable preallocation when not required to reduce operational costs
Cons of Preallocated App
Higher infrastructure cost due to streamer machines running 24/7
Continuous GPU and CPU usage, even when no users are connected
Limited scalability without additional preallocated instances
Manual restarts required to apply new builds or configuration updates
Summary
The PreAllocateApp feature is designed for low-latency, high-availability Pixel Streaming experiences. While it increases infrastructure costs, it delivers instant access and production-grade reliability, making it ideal for critical deployments.
Troubleshooting
Issue | Possible Cause | Recommended Solution |
|---|---|---|
App does not start after launching | Incorrect values in | Verify app name, owner, and API key, then restart |
Users still experience long load time | App is not actually preallocated | Ensure |
High GPU / CPU usage | App runs continuously (24/7) | Monitor resource usage and scale streamer machine if needed |
App changes not reflected | Preallocated app was not restarted | Restart |
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