VNC messing up Backburner renders?

[simmsimaging]

I use VNC to check in on renders in progress (usually from an Ipad and just from elsewhere on the network, not via the net). The problem is that every once in a while when I log in to snoop around the BB server machine it seems to mess up the render.

Max and Vray keep ticking away, but no further bucket progress happens. It will sit for hours if I don't realize it, and I have to start the render all over again.

No idea why it would happen - just wondering if this happens to anyone else and if there is maybe a VNC setting I need to tweak? Any known conflicts with BB or Vray distributed rendering and VNC?

Thanks in advance /b

[jacksc02]

Brett have you tried with a web based application like logmein?

[simmsimaging]

Thanks Chris - no, haven't tried anything other than VNC as of yet. Aside from this one thing it always worked just fine. Have you had similar issues that Logmein resolved?

[dmf-123]

Brett, I realize this probably won't help you diagnose your particular problem, but I've been using iTap RDT on my iPad to get into my slaves on my home network and have been pretty pleased with it. It claims (and seems to be) one of the fastest clients out there and I haven't had any problems.

But if I would make a recommendation, I wouldn't switch out your VNC client for something else, I'd switch out your iPad for an iPad 2. Really i don't see any other choice.

[simmsimaging]

lol - I like the way you think.

I will check out that app, thanks. In the interim I grabbed Logmein on Chris' recommendation. It seems to work and was painless to set up, but haven't had a chance to try mangling a Bburner render yet

Thanks guys /b

[dlparisi]

The problem with logmein Free is that it lacks a one click solution for accessing the nodes (i.e., you need to open IE, Firefox, etc..., log in to Logmein, and then log into the actual machine). I know the pro version gets around this but hey, I like Free. I have a windows shortcut with the node and password set and with one quick hotkey I can open the window to access the machine.

I have never had a problem like you're describing - which VNC client/server and release are you using? I've used both tightVNC and UltraVNC (currently) and both worked great. UltraVNC had better support for Win7 (specifically Aero) so I switched when I switched over my main workstation.

[simmsimaging]

yeah, the free one is a bit clunky compared to the vnc utility I was using. I will try and figure out how to do it they way you have - I'm not clear on how to add the node/password info to a windows shortcut, but I'll see if I can sort it out.

Thanks for the tip.
b

[dlparisi]

Once you have a VNC window session open, from the UltraVNC menu click "Save connection info as...". It'll save a .vnc file. Then make a windows shortcut to that file and then in that you can setup a hotkey combo - I use something like "Ctrl-Alt-4" for the 4th rendernode. THe setup is the same in TightVNC, I just don't remember what the menu command was called

[simmsimaging]

Great - thanks!
b

[RE:FORM_STUDIOS]

I just discovered the TightVNC / Backburner problem. Think I spent about half a day trouble-shooting a scene before trying to close the VNC connections I had with my rendernodes. Problem solved! It seems tightVNC causes any backburner jobs with DR to crash on scene-load.
What alternative to TightVNC are people using successfully?
I have logmein, but would prefer an app based VNC solution.

[simmsimaging]

Logmein has been working great for me. I use the free version on the nodes, and the $30 app on my ipad and it's been flawless. I still use VNC (and my handy new desktop shortcuts) for most stuff, just not when renders are running /b

[flino2004]

I'm using logmein, Refamo & Hamachi.... setting a virtual netwok via Hamachi get access to my rendernode via Refamo is great...you can control them and you see memory, proccessor, I/O access at the same time
from a coffee shop....LogmeinPro allows that you can transfer files from anywhere to your network!!...Great combo if you want to work remotely (I do it all the time).

Fernando