diff --git a/src/server/distrend.c b/src/server/distrend.c
--- a/src/server/distrend.c
+++ b/src/server/distrend.c
@@ -112,6 +112,17 @@ struct frameset {
 
 /* ********************** Functions ************************* */
 
+void start_data(){
+
+	if(1 == 0){
+		// retrieve total_finished_jobs and total_finished_frames from xml file
+	}
+	else{
+		general_info.total_finished_jobs = 0;
+		general_info.total_frames_rendered = 0;
+	}
+}
+
 // **** Finish-Setter: Sets a frame to the "completed" status.
 void finish_frame(int jobnum, int frame){
   blendjob[jobnum].frameset[frame].frame_status = 2;