VrayDR (start/stop) utility

[analogueWay]

For those (like myself, because of anti-virus software) that are unable to use psexec, there is another way.

If you run the Vray Spawner as a service then you can stop and start the service remotely by using the following on the command line:

C:\>sc <servername> stop "VRaySpawner 60"
C:\>sc <servername> start "VRaySpawner 60"

Where <servername> is the name of one of your render servers (i.e. \\rendernode001).

I created a simple batch file that looks like this:

sc \\rendernode01 stop "VRaySpawner 60"
sc \\rendernode02 stop "VRaySpawner 60"
sc \\rendernode03 stop "VRaySpawner 60"
sc \\rendernode04 stop "VRaySpawner 60"
pause
sc \\rendernode01 start "VRaySpawner 60"
sc \\rendernode02 start "VRaySpawner 60"
sc \\rendernode03 start "VRaySpawner 60"
sc \\rendernode04 start "VRaySpawner 60"

The "pause" in the middle waits for a key press. I included it so that I could wait a few seconds before I send the start commands.

I run the batch file in a cmd.exe window, which is necessary because I have a different login and pass on the render servers. Creating a shortcut to cmd.exe allows me to then change the properties of the shortcut so that it is run as a different user. Ah, the challenges of working for a larger company with a corporate it strategy.

-Jeremy

[mike.edel]

you can also use the microsoft management console (run mmc from the commandline) to start, stop and restart services - even on remote machines
you just have to add the services snapin and add the remote machines too
you can then save that layout to a file you can run to bring it up again

the mmc shows all services on the machines, but i can live with that...

[dbuchhofer]

yea, there are many many ways to work it out.. and as long as you're working with a fairly small set of systems any of them will work fine.

I got tired of editing batchfiles personally to reflect changes for 30+ machines is all

heres the thoughts on 'where' it was all going origionally:

[analogueWay]

Ooooooo... That's nice.

[askhamdesign]

Hi dbuchhofer

Are there any more updates?

[Da_elf]

can you add in some sort of display to let you know whats already running on a computer?

[mikeeee2]

I just downloaded V8.1 You Rock Man!


Yeah that looks quite helpful. It would be nice to be able to control the Backburner server as well. I am running net rendering between 2 offices and would like to be able to switch between DR and backburner without calling someone in the other office and having them run around and Kill DR and start up Backburner. I have been able to ude Dave's app to kill the backburner but I cannot get it to start the Backburner Server successfully. The Q monitor is telling me that the server cannont acces the drive to write the output file. I thihnk that this might be a limitation of PS tools "psexec" and some password buisness I feel it is a tad beyond my comprehension. Good thing there are smarter people than I in this forum.

Any Ideas

E

[askhamdesign]

Hi mikeeee2

How have you set up backburner over two offices if you dont mind me asking?

Si

[mikeeee2]

We have a VPN tunnel between the offices. It takes a little longer to serve out the animation than keeping it on your local network but once all the servers have the files it runs like a champ. Have been running it for a little over a two weeks and have had little trouble w/ it other than getting people to remember to turn on the server. That is why I would like to find a remote way to do it.

E

[trixian]

Hmm....I cant get it to work here. We are not running a domain though, so that could be it. Also, I placed the util in the same folder I have pstools, but when hitting the process list button the cmd prompt tells me pslist command does not exist. In addition to this the interface is all white without the dividing lines you have on the screen shot.

[Dynedain]

In addition to this the interface is all white without the dividing lines you have on the screen shot.

The dark interface is "Dynedain's DarkUI Mod". I'm not sure exactly how Dave curently has it bundled up, but it is available on his server, there's a couple minor tweaks to his core code, and a seperate stylesheet document to make it visually work.

[trixian]

Well tbh, the white interface is the least of my problems, as none of the magic buttons seem to work

[jujubee]

Trixian, if I remember correctly the PSexec files need to be in a location accessible by the the environment path - right click my comp/advanced/environment variables/path (in system variables) and add your location or just simple put the files into your system folder.

See if that helps.

[davexl23]

Just a note - I think there is a problem with long filenames.

We run all our MAX installations in c:\program files\3dsmax7 because, well we just have been since 1997 and I can't remember why anymore!

This messes up the path handling. I edited the config to mimic a DOS path:

c:\progra~1\3dsmax7

and this worked, but only on one machine. Still working out what the deal is with the older ones, but it is permission related...

[dbuchhofer]

an idea, that may or may not work.. you could try using the normal path, but adding it in the ini file in quotes? if anything it may be with spaces

the actual command it executes for each system to start the vray dr for instance is:

objWMIService.Create("psexec \\" & strComputer & " -i -d -u " & psLogin & " -p " & psPassword & " " & vraydrpath )

the command line that that ends up as would be:

psexec \\Compname -i -d -u DOMAIN\Login -p password c:\progra~1\3dsmax7\vrayspawner.exe

So.. if that line works in the command prompt (Start/Run/cmd.exe) then it should theoretically run in the app?

if you're able, you could drop by irc today and we could see if theres anything else to try