Backburner

[SoLiTuDe]

Server is just a term. Any desktop (or laptop) connected to a network that has max on it is totally fine to use with backburner. Backburner runs a Manager and a Server. A server is a computer that will render a max job for you. The manager sorts and sends jobs and instructions to the servers. The manager and server can also run on the same computer. Then you have the queue monitor where you can check out job info and rearrange jobs and stuff. It's all really simple really... but you'll have to pick between using universal names or mapping drives. Each computer will need access to the maps and render output paths of your jobs... so you can setup central locations for maps and render outputs by having an X: drive on each machine that points to a folder on a computer, or you can use the format \\computername\sharename\folder for all of your maps and render output paths. .. I'd personally go with storing stuff in central locations and mapping them to drives. (renders go on the R drive, maps are stored on your M drive... something like that)

[Potemkyn]

That helps.

So, a shared or network drive would be best.

I also noticed that AutoDesk stated the copy of Max on the "server" (rendering machine) does not count against your license. Does that sounds right? The page did recommend using the license server so you could switch between machines without violating the license.

Thanks!

Po~

[SoLiTuDe]

Yeah that sounds right -- you install max on whatever machines you want for network rendering, and during network rendering they don't grab a license.

[Potemkyn]

So I'm reading through the manual included in 3D Max 8.3. It seems to suggest having SEVERAL computers. One application, one manager, one server, and one node. Seems that they indirectly say you have to have at least two computers to do this... I haven't finished it all yet...

Does anybody here use backburner with just two computers?

Po~

[SoLiTuDe]

It's technically doable on one computer, but it's kind of pointless. The number of computers doesn't really matter so much -- the more computers you have, though, the more frames you can finish. :)

[Potemkyn]

Right - more computers running as nodes increase output and decrease render time.

I also noticed where AutoDesk stated using a Linux system as a node. I've heard Linux systems don't require as much system memory and you can use an older or less powerful processor. If you use a node with Linux on it if it will outperform a node with Windows XP Pro SP2? I can set up a couple of machines like that - but I'm concerned about the output. For instance, would it be worth the energy (electricity) to set up a Pentium III 1GHz system with 1GB RAM as a node?

Thanks for your insight!

Po~

[SoLiTuDe]

That makes no sense since Max won't run on linux...

[Potemkyn]

It's possible I misread that portion...

Sounds like it's Windows or nothing...

Po~

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