render node update program

[thatch]

I am looking for a program that will install updates/programs on several render nodes at once from one master machine, ive done a search and asked our IT guys but they are not aware of anything for the PC. At the moment i use realVNC viewer to manually install programs on each node, which gets rather tedious

Any suggestions will be a great help

Cheers

[MandelbrotJr]

Well, there are a lot of system management solutions out there that are designed to perform application lifecycle management like deploying/upgrading applications remotely, but most of them are geared towards enterprise IT, thus being expensive.

If you have a Windows 2003 domain setup you could play with the group policy, that will let you deploy applications remotely. This might help :

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/Group-Policy-Deploy-Applications.html

[BrianKitts]

All of our render nodes have a command in their start up directory pointed at a batch file on our visualization server. That way anytime we need to do updates we just add the command to the batch file on the server and the next time we log in a render node with the 3d account it runs that one batch file locally on the render node to do the updates automatically.

 

a CRAZY HOMELESS GUY in our office was the mastermind that got it all setup, but he's on vacation this week and might not be reading the forums for a bit, I can't take credit for the knowledge but I can share the concept.

 

It works really well to manage the office that way when you turn on all 60 or so machines ( i forget how many there are now) in the office we don't have to manually update them all when we do software upgrades.

[AJLynn]

Anybody using a free VNC program? Like RealVNC free? How good is it?

 

I've got enough parts to make a basic render node, I just want it under my desk running VRaySpawner or something without needing another monitor/kbd/etc. I'm on wireless but I figure I can just run a crossover cable for a 2-node network and no hassles.

[quizzy]

I use tightVNC also free and its okay... for installing its excellent, but for remote working in max/viz it "sucks"

[AJLynn]

I don't need to work in the software, just start the network render client and restart it when needed. Probably will only need the VNC a few times a week.

[bigcahunak]

I don't need to work in the software, just start the network render client and restart it when needed. Probably will only need the VNC a few times a week.

No Probs with VNC - it should do exactly what you are asking. I use it to access te kids machine when they shout something is wrong in their machine. I only tell them to get their hands off ot the mouse and after a second they go "ok dad it fixed itself... no need for you to come..."

For accessing my server I use windows remote desktop connection(Start>Programs>Accessories>Communications>remote desktop connection) and create a desktop shortcut that includes password, resulotion and all. Its a more professional sulotion IMHO and no need to install anything (assuming both are win XP pro. Its even great for remote working on any program if connection speed is fast and stable (any local hub or switch is ok)

[thatch]

Anybody using a free VNC program? Like RealVNC free? How good is it?

I've got enough parts to make a basic render node, I just want it under my desk running VRaySpawner or something without needing another monitor/kbd/etc. I'm on wireless but I figure I can just run a crossover cable for a 2-node network and no hassles.

Ive started to use UltraVNC (http://www.ultravnc.com/), its free and it has tons of options, including a file transfer interface which is really useful if you are logging on via the internet.

[AJLynn]

Thanks for all the info, I guess I'll just look at all these and choose one - looks like given what I'm doing any of them would be fine. (Heck, telnet would probably be fine, but this would be better.)