Animux Caseless "Ikea" Rackmount Renderfarm - Revision history

Mandhriah at 02:04, 9 May 2009

2009-05-09T02:04:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:04, 9 May 2009
Line 50:		Line 50:
	<br>		<br>

-	[http://blog.animux.org/2009/05/animux-cheap-caseless~~-animation~~-rackmount-renderfarm/ DETAILS] are available on our blog site	+	[http://blog.animux.org/2009/05/animux-cheap-caseless-rackmount-animation-renderfarm/ DETAILS] are available on our blog site

	#A step by step guide on how we built the Animux Rackmount Renderfarm.		#A step by step guide on how we built the Animux Rackmount Renderfarm.

Mandhriah at 14:04, 8 May 2009

2009-05-08T14:04:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:04, 8 May 2009
Line 50:		Line 50:
	<br>		<br>

-	[http://blog.animux.org/2009/05/animux-cheap-caseless-animation-rackmount-renderfarm/ DETAILS] ~~will be~~ available on our blog site	+	[http://blog.animux.org/2009/05/animux-cheap-caseless-animation-rackmount-renderfarm/ DETAILS] are available on our blog site

	#A step by step guide on how we built the Animux Rackmount Renderfarm.		#A step by step guide on how we built the Animux Rackmount Renderfarm.

Mandhriah at 01:06, 8 May 2009

2009-05-08T01:06:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:06, 8 May 2009
Line 1:		Line 1:
	<cso_passthru><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3397692003_e1e6a45b96.jpg" /></cso_passthru>		<cso_passthru><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3397692003_e1e6a45b96.jpg" /></cso_passthru>

-	<br>	+	<br>

	<u>'''Goals:'''</u>		<u>'''Goals:'''</u>
Line 15:		Line 15:
	*BEHAVE LIKE THE PERFECT RENDFARM:  Render animations jobs (using open-source tools Blender or closed source tools like Maya, 3DS Max, Lightwave, Softimage/XSI, Cinema 4D)<br>		*BEHAVE LIKE THE PERFECT RENDFARM:  Render animations jobs (using open-source tools Blender or closed source tools like Maya, 3DS Max, Lightwave, Softimage/XSI, Cinema 4D)<br>

-	<br>	+	<br>

	<u>'''Hardware Specifications:'''</u>		<u>'''Hardware Specifications:'''</u>
Line 33:		Line 33:
	*12 Low Profile kit		*12 Low Profile kit

-	<br>	+	<br>

	<u>'''Rack Specification:'''</u>		<u>'''Rack Specification:'''</u>
Line 44:		Line 44:
	*High density board (we used it instead of plexiglass because of the cost & board was stronger)		*High density board (we used it instead of plexiglass because of the cost & board was stronger)

-	<br>	+	<br>

-	With a very modest budget and a talented bunch of people we were able to accomplish something, many thought was either insanity or brilliance. It tooks us 3 versions in 4 months to get it right. We find that with the final version it is easy to maintain rackmount renderfarm. Check out our original post in the animux forum on Dec 03, 2008 [http://forum.animux.org/index.php/topic,14.msg68.html#msg68 here].<br>	+	With a very modest budget and a talented bunch of people we were able to accomplish something, many thought was either insanity or brilliance. It tooks us 3 versions in 4 months to get it right. We find that with the final version it is easy to maintain rackmount renderfarm. Check out our original post in the animux forum on Dec 03, 2008 [http://forum.animux.org/index.php/topic,14.msg68.html#msg68 here].<br>

-	<br>	+	<br>

-	~~Details~~ will be available in our blog site ~~soon...~~	+	[http://blog.animux.org/2009/05/animux-cheap-caseless-animation-rackmount-renderfarm/ DETAILS] will be available on our blog site

	#A step by step guide on how we built the Animux Rackmount Renderfarm.		#A step by step guide on how we built the Animux Rackmount Renderfarm.

Mputtnam at 10:47, 1 April 2009

2009-04-01T10:47:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:47, 1 April 2009
Line 12:		Line 12:
	*EFFICIENT USE OF SPACE: Safely pack as many nodes as possible in a given space.		*EFFICIENT USE OF SPACE: Safely pack as many nodes as possible in a given space.
	*EFFICIENT USE OF ENERGY: Minimize the use of chasis fans to the bare minimum - CPU, PSU, Videocards. (Another benefit, reduces noise)		*EFFICIENT USE OF ENERGY: Minimize the use of chasis fans to the bare minimum - CPU, PSU, Videocards. (Another benefit, reduces noise)
-	*STABLE & FUNCTIONAL: Runs continuously ~~without~~  ~~the regular problems of the~~ high-quality/high-priced rackmount.	+	*STABLE & FUNCTIONAL: Runs continuously just  like a high-quality/high-priced rackmount.
	*BEHAVE LIKE THE PERFECT RENDFARM:  Render animations jobs (using open-source tools Blender or closed source tools like Maya, 3DS Max, Lightwave, Softimage/XSI, Cinema 4D)<br>		*BEHAVE LIKE THE PERFECT RENDFARM:  Render animations jobs (using open-source tools Blender or closed source tools like Maya, 3DS Max, Lightwave, Softimage/XSI, Cinema 4D)<br>

Mputtnam at 10:20, 1 April 2009

2009-04-01T10:20:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:20, 1 April 2009
Line 1:		Line 1:
	<cso_passthru><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3397692003_e1e6a45b96.jpg" /></cso_passthru>		<cso_passthru><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3397692003_e1e6a45b96.jpg" /></cso_passthru>

-		+	<br>

	<u>'''Goals:'''</u>		<u>'''Goals:'''</u>
Line 46:		Line 46:
	<br>		<br>

-	With a very modest budget and a talented bunch of people we were able to accomplish something, many thought was either insanity or brilliance. It tooks us 3 versions in 4 months to get it right. We find that with the final version it is easy to maintain rackmount renderfarm.<br>	+	With a very modest budget and a talented bunch of people we were able to accomplish something, many thought was either insanity or brilliance. It tooks us 3 versions in 4 months to get it right. We find that with the final version it is easy to maintain rackmount renderfarm. Check out our original post in the animux forum on Dec 03, 2008 [http://forum.animux.org/index.php/topic,14.msg68.html#msg68 here].<br>
-		+

		+	<br>

	Details will be available in our blog site soon...		Details will be available in our blog site soon...

Mputtnam at 10:17, 1 April 2009

2009-04-01T10:17:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:17, 1 April 2009
Line 1:		Line 1:
	<cso_passthru><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3397692003_e1e6a45b96.jpg" /></cso_passthru>		<cso_passthru><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3397692003_e1e6a45b96.jpg" /></cso_passthru>

-	Goals:	+
		+
		+	<u>'''Goals:'''</u>

	*EASILY AVAILABLE COMPONENTS: Using items for the rackmount that you could find in "Ikea", "home depot" or any neighbourhood hardware store.		*EASILY AVAILABLE COMPONENTS: Using items for the rackmount that you could find in "Ikea", "home depot" or any neighbourhood hardware store.
Line 11:		Line 13:
	*EFFICIENT USE OF ENERGY: Minimize the use of chasis fans to the bare minimum - CPU, PSU, Videocards. (Another benefit, reduces noise)		*EFFICIENT USE OF ENERGY: Minimize the use of chasis fans to the bare minimum - CPU, PSU, Videocards. (Another benefit, reduces noise)
	*STABLE & FUNCTIONAL: Runs continuously without  the regular problems of the high-quality/high-priced rackmount.		*STABLE & FUNCTIONAL: Runs continuously without  the regular problems of the high-quality/high-priced rackmount.
-	*Render animations jobs (using open-source tools Blender or closed source tools like Maya, 3DS Max, Lightwave, Softimage/XSI, Cinema 4D)<br>	+	*BEHAVE LIKE THE PERFECT RENDFARM:  Render animations jobs (using open-source tools Blender or closed source tools like Maya, 3DS Max, Lightwave, Softimage/XSI, Cinema 4D)<br>

	<br>		<br>

-	Hardware Specifications:	+	<u>'''Hardware Specifications:'''</u>

	*12 AMD Motherboards		*12 AMD Motherboards
Line 33:		Line 35:
	<br>		<br>

-	Rack Specification	+	<u>'''Rack Specification:'''</u>

	*Ikea 6 shelves ANTONIUS FRAME ($11)		*Ikea 6 shelves ANTONIUS FRAME ($11)
Line 45:		Line 47:

	With a very modest budget and a talented bunch of people we were able to accomplish something, many thought was either insanity or brilliance. It tooks us 3 versions in 4 months to get it right. We find that with the final version it is easy to maintain rackmount renderfarm.<br>		With a very modest budget and a talented bunch of people we were able to accomplish something, many thought was either insanity or brilliance. It tooks us 3 versions in 4 months to get it right. We find that with the final version it is easy to maintain rackmount renderfarm.<br>
		+
		+

	Details will be available in our blog site soon...		Details will be available in our blog site soon...

Mputtnam at 10:16, 1 April 2009

2009-04-01T10:16:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:16, 1 April 2009
Line 10:		Line 10:
	*EFFICIENT USE OF SPACE: Safely pack as many nodes as possible in a given space.		*EFFICIENT USE OF SPACE: Safely pack as many nodes as possible in a given space.
	*EFFICIENT USE OF ENERGY: Minimize the use of chasis fans to the bare minimum - CPU, PSU, Videocards. (Another benefit, reduces noise)		*EFFICIENT USE OF ENERGY: Minimize the use of chasis fans to the bare minimum - CPU, PSU, Videocards. (Another benefit, reduces noise)
-	*~~Should be functional, stable~~	+	*STABLE & FUNCTIONAL: Runs continuously without  the regular problems of the high-quality/high-priced rackmount.
-	*Render animations jobs.	+	*Render animations jobs (using open-source tools Blender or closed source tools like Maya, 3DS Max, Lightwave, Softimage/XSI, Cinema 4D)<br>

	<br>		<br>
Line 44:		Line 44:
	<br>		<br>

-	With a very modest budget and a talented bunch of people we were able to accomplish something, many thought was either insanity or brilliance. It tooks us 3 versions ~~and~~ 4 months to get it right. We find that with the final version it is easy to maintain rackmount renderfarm.<br>	+	With a very modest budget and a talented bunch of people we were able to accomplish something, many thought was either insanity or brilliance. It tooks us 3 versions in 4 months to get it right. We find that with the final version it is easy to maintain rackmount renderfarm.<br>

-	Details ~~coming~~ soon...	+	Details will be available in our blog site soon...

	#A step by step guide on how we built the Animux Rackmount Renderfarm.		#A step by step guide on how we built the Animux Rackmount Renderfarm.

Mputtnam at 10:09, 1 April 2009

2009-04-01T10:09:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:09, 1 April 2009
Line 10:		Line 10:
	*EFFICIENT USE OF SPACE: Safely pack as many nodes as possible in a given space.		*EFFICIENT USE OF SPACE: Safely pack as many nodes as possible in a given space.
	*EFFICIENT USE OF ENERGY: Minimize the use of chasis fans to the bare minimum - CPU, PSU, Videocards. (Another benefit, reduces noise)		*EFFICIENT USE OF ENERGY: Minimize the use of chasis fans to the bare minimum - CPU, PSU, Videocards. (Another benefit, reduces noise)
-	*Should be functional, stable	+	*Should be functional, stable
	*Render animations jobs.		*Render animations jobs.

		+	<br>

		+	Hardware Specifications:

-	~~Hardware Specifications:~~	+	*12 AMD Motherboards
-		+	*12 Quad-core Phenoms
-	*12 AMD Motherboards	+	*26x2GB (52GB RAM)
-	*12 Quad-core Phenoms	+	*5 NVidia Quadro Video Cards for GPU based rendering (Gelato renderer)
-	*26x2GB (52GB RAM)	+	*10 NVidia video cards for GPU rendering and display
-	*5 NVidia Quadro Video Cards for GPU based rendering (Gelato renderer)	+	*1 TB of HDD for NFS mount (can be easily expanded)
-	*10 NVidia video cards for GPU rendering and display	+	*12 PSU (support GPU)
-	*1 TB of HDD for NFS mount (can be easily expanded)	+	*12 ATX Power switches
-	*12 PSU (support GPU)	+	*1 KVM Switch
-	*12 ATX Power switches	+
-	*1 KVM Switch	+
	*16 Port Gigabit Switch		*16 Port Gigabit Switch
-	*6 USB Mini Hubs	+	*6 USB Mini Hubs
	*12 4GB USB Drives with Animux OS		*12 4GB USB Drives with Animux OS
	*12 Low Profile kit		*12 Low Profile kit

		+	<br>

		+	Rack Specification

-	~~Rack Specification~~	+	*Ikea 6 shelves ANTONIUS FRAME ($11)
-		+	*Ikea ANTONIUS wire basket ($3.25)
-	*Ikea 6 shelves ANTONIUS FRAME ($11)	+	*Home Depot Paint Stirrers  (Free with-in-reason) (A 6 shelf rackmount we needed 24 big  and 36 small stirrers) (We created the green screen paint at Home Depot they were generous enough to give us some)
-	*Ikea ANTONIUS wire basket ($3.25)	+	*(#4 or #6 ) Nylon or Metal screws, washers, nuts
-	*Home Depot Paint Stirrers  (Free with-in-reason) (A 6 shelf rackmount we needed 24 big  and 36 small stirrers) (We created the green screen paint at Home Depot they were generous enough to give us some)	+	*4 inch zip ties
-	*#4 or #6 Nylon or Metal screws, washers, nuts	+
-	*4 inch zip ties	+
	*High density board (we used it instead of plexiglass because of the cost & board was stronger)		*High density board (we used it instead of plexiglass because of the cost & board was stronger)

		+	<br>

-		+	With a very modest budget and a talented bunch of people we were able to accomplish something, many thought was either insanity or brilliance. It tooks us 3 versions and 4 months to get it right. We find that with the final version it is easy to maintain rackmount renderfarm.<br>
-	~~Setting up a 48 CPU core renderfarm on an Ikea shelf is finally complete. Each Ikea shelf has 2 motherboards in them, each holding a single AMD Phenom & 4GB RAM.~~ With a very modest budget and a talented bunch of people we were able to accomplish something, many thought was either insanity or brilliance. It tooks us 3 versions and 4 months to get it right. We find that with the final version it is easy to maintain rackmount renderfarm.<br>	+

	Details coming soon...		Details coming soon...

Mputtnam at 10:08, 1 April 2009

2009-04-01T10:08:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:08, 1 April 2009
Line 1:		Line 1:
	<cso_passthru><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3397692003_e1e6a45b96.jpg" /></cso_passthru>		<cso_passthru><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3397692003_e1e6a45b96.jpg" /></cso_passthru>
-
-	Setting up a 48 CPU core renderfarm on an Ikea shelf is finally complete. Each Ikea shelf has 2 motherboards in them, each holding a single AMD Phenom & 4GB RAM. With a very modest budget and a talented bunch of people we were able to accomplish something, many thought was either insanity or brilliance. It tooks us 3 versions and 4 months to get it right.  We find that with the final version it is easy to maintain rackmount renderfarm.

	Goals:		Goals:

-	*Using items for the rackmount that you could find in "Ikea", "home depot" or any neighbourhood hardware store.	+	*EASILY AVAILABLE COMPONENTS: Using items for the rackmount that you could find in "Ikea", "home depot" or any neighbourhood hardware store.
-	*Preparing the rackmount should not need any fancy tools but just regular household hardware tools.	+	*EASY TO MAKE: Preparing the rackmount should not need any fancy tools but just regular household hardware tools.
-	*~~Should be portable.~~ Easy to move around the studio or ~~shipping it~~ to a different location.	+	*PORTABLE:  Easy to move around the studio or ship to a different location.
-	*Easy to upgrade, maintain. (Each node can be fixed without having to bring down the entire rackmount)	+	*UPGRADABLE: Easy to upgrade, maintain. (Each node can be fixed without having to bring down the entire rackmount, if possible right on the rack itself.)
-	*Easy to ~~expand~~. ~~(Should be~~ easy to ~~scale out or~~ add ~~new~~ nodes to ~~the rackmount~~.)	+	*EXPANDABLE: Easy to scale-up or scale-out.  With ease to upgrade the components in each rack it easily scales-up. It is easy to add more shelves (racks) with 2 nodes, it is equally easy to scale-out.
-	*~~Efficient use of space. (Try to safely~~ pack as many nodes as possible in a given space.)	+	*EFFICIENT USE OF SPACE: Safely pack as many nodes as possible in a given space.
-	*~~Efficient~~ use of ~~energy (minimize the onboard~~ fans to the bare minimum - CPU, PSU, Videocards)	+	*EFFICIENT USE OF ENERGY: Minimize the use of chasis fans to the bare minimum - CPU, PSU, Videocards. (Another benefit, reduces noise)
-	*Should be functional, stable and ~~handle its job well~~.	+	*Should be functional, stable
		+	*Render animations jobs.
		+
		+
		+
		+	Hardware Specifications:
		+
		+	*12 AMD Motherboards
		+	*12 Quad-core Phenoms
		+	*26x2GB (52GB RAM)
		+	*5 NVidia Quadro Video Cards for GPU based rendering (Gelato renderer)
		+	*10 NVidia video cards for GPU rendering and display
		+	*1 TB of HDD for NFS mount (can be easily expanded)
		+	*12 PSU (support GPU)
		+	*12 ATX Power switches
		+	*1 KVM Switch
		+	*16 Port Gigabit Switch
		+	*6 USB Mini Hubs
		+	*12 4GB USB Drives with Animux OS
		+	*12 Low Profile kit
		+
		+
		+
		+	Rack Specification
		+
		+	*Ikea 6 shelves ANTONIUS FRAME ($11)
		+	*Ikea ANTONIUS wire basket ($3.25)
		+	*Home Depot Paint Stirrers  (Free with-in-reason) (A 6 shelf rackmount we needed 24 big  and 36 small stirrers) (We created the green screen paint at Home Depot they were generous enough to give us some)
		+	*#4 or #6 Nylon or Metal screws, washers, nuts
		+	*4 inch zip ties
		+	*High density board (we used it instead of plexiglass because of the cost & board was stronger)
		+
		+

-	<br>	+	Setting up a 48 CPU core renderfarm on an Ikea shelf is finally complete. Each Ikea shelf has 2 motherboards in them, each holding a single AMD Phenom & 4GB RAM. With a very modest budget and a talented bunch of people we were able to accomplish something, many thought was either insanity or brilliance. It tooks us 3 versions and 4 months to get it right. We find that with the final version it is easy to maintain rackmount renderfarm.<br>

	Details coming soon...		Details coming soon...

Mputtnam at 10:42, 31 March 2009

2009-03-31T10:42:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:42, 31 March 2009
Line 1:		Line 1:
	<cso_passthru><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3397692003_e1e6a45b96.jpg" /></cso_passthru>		<cso_passthru><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/3397692003_e1e6a45b96.jpg" /></cso_passthru>

-	Setting up a 48 CPU core renderfarm on an Ikea shelf is finally complete. With a very modest budget and a talented bunch of people we were able to accomplish something, many thought was either insanity or brilliance. It tooks us 3 versions and 4 months to get it right.  We find that with the final version it is easy to maintain rackmount renderfarm.	+	Setting up a 48 CPU core renderfarm on an Ikea shelf is finally complete. Each Ikea shelf has 2 motherboards in them, each holding a single AMD Phenom & 4GB RAM. With a very modest budget and a talented bunch of people we were able to accomplish something, many thought was either insanity or brilliance. It tooks us 3 versions and 4 months to get it right.  We find that with the final version it is easy to maintain rackmount renderfarm.

	Goals:		Goals: