> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.pentaho.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.pentaho.com/pdia-data-integration/9.3-data-integration/advanced-topics-pentaho-data-integration-overview/partitioning-data/partitioning-clustered-transformations.md).

# Partitioning clustered transformations

Partitioning data allows your transformations to scale out on a cluster of slave servers to maximize the resources of machines operating in parallel. When a step is assigned to run on a Carte master node (that is, non-clustered in a clustered transformation), the same rules apply as described in [Rules for partitioning](/pdia-data-integration/9.3-data-integration/advanced-topics-pentaho-data-integration-overview/partitioning-data/use-partitioning/rules-for-partitioning.md).

In case a clustered step is partitioned, the partitions are distributed over the number of slave servers. As a result, the number of partitions needs to be equal to or higher than the number of slave servers in the cluster schema. It is, therefore, recommended to allow the PDI client to create the partition schema dynamically in a clustered environment.

You should always limit repartitioning on a cluster to a minimum, as high amounts of networking and CPU overhead can be incurred, which is caused by the massive amounts of data passing from one server to another over TCP/IP sockets. Also, to get optimal performance on a cluster, try to keep the data in swimlanes, described in [Use data swimlanes](/pdia-data-integration/9.3-data-integration/advanced-topics-pentaho-data-integration-overview/partitioning-data/use-partitioning/use-data-swimlanes.md), for as long as possible.

![Partitioning schema dialog box](/files/IMh1dAYtmR4WOUNxUfVe)


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.pentaho.com/pdia-data-integration/9.3-data-integration/advanced-topics-pentaho-data-integration-overview/partitioning-data/partitioning-clustered-transformations.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.