Render Nodes

[calebabudu]

Hello i've heard of render farms and render nodes. i've been to BOXX website and seen some classic examples of such. from my understanding they don't need monitors for viewing. they act like extra processors.

 

i need to know what does it take for me to clone a render node ( i.e buying the essential parts and copling them). how do they work and what parts do i need particularly.

 

thanks, anyone.

[tecton3d]

Hello i've heard of render farms and render nodes. i've been to BOXX website and seen some classic examples of such. from my understanding they don't need monitors for viewing. they act like extra processors.

i need to know what does it take for me to clone a render node ( i.e buying the essential parts and copling them). how do they work and what parts do i need particularly.

thanks, anyone.

 

a node is basically a dumb grunt of a machine that does nothing other than process renderings from a workstation... a stupid mule if you will! They can be in server form (1U, 2U, etc) like the boxx "renderboxx" or they can be in a tower like most desktops, thier form factor is basically irrelevant unless you don't want to take up space then you get a rackmount solution...

 

you need the same parts as all other computers have... but with a focus on processing capacity and enough ram to render the scenes you need to... they don't need to look pretty, they just need to sit there and crunch

 

as far as cloning nodes... it's recommended to buy the identical components (at least processors) for your farm as I've read of farms using a combination of AMD + Intel get wierd artifacts when rendering. It'd be best to get all X2 systems... etc. Also, if something should break (and something will!) you don't have to go on an easter-egg hunt to find serial #'s, drivers, and the correct contacts for servicing... also a good idea to have spare parts at the ready when something breaks... more important if you have fewer nodes

 

You'll need whatever system specs you decide on for each node plus the networking stuff to connect it all together like LAN cable and a hub...

 

my recommendations for a node:

amd athlon X2 3800

1 to 2 gb of ram

decent power supply

cheap case

mobo with onboard video

... should be had for under $600/node

 

a good chart for performance to cost:

http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/108258-post3.html