Deploy update to render farm

[stevesideas]

Is there a way to do this ? I did search the forums but I couldn't find anything on this.

[Morbid Angel]

Yes. You can look in documentation, there is a command and an xml file you can make, then run this as a deadline (or any render manager job) which can submit a cmd command, it will run the installer in silent mode and update vray.

Also recently there is a way to install vray to network for max and run it from network *but that's a bit more complicated.

[stevesideas]

okay. I've created the XML file using the code supplied. I'm not sure however how to run the command line through backburner. I did create a batch file for Terragen so I assume it's similar.

The BAT file for terragen for distribution to render nodes is:

cmdjob -jobName:"TerragenRender" -manager:192.168.0.106 -tp_start:1 -numTasks:130 -tp_jump:4 -taskname:1 "tgdcli" t:\mucho.tgd -hide -exit -r -f %%tp1

The command line featured in the documentation for vray install is:

vray_adv_30001_max2014_x64.exe -gui=0-configFile="xml_file.xml"-quiet=1

So do I just add this vray install code after the manager ip so it ends up as:

cmdjob -jobName:"VraySilentInstall" -manager:192.168.0.106 vray_adv_32001_max2014_x64.exe -gui=0-configFile="xml_file.xml

[stevesideas]

okay. That didn't work. I get error code process error: 2

[stevesideas]

Tried this:

cmdjob -jobName:"VraySilentInstall" -manager:192.168.0.106 -tp_start:2 -numTasks:10 -taskname:1 "vray_adv_32001_max2014_x64.exe" -gui=0 -configFile="xml_file.xml -hide -exit -r -f %%tp1

With same result. Plus it looks like backburner is trying to install 10 times to each node.

[pingus]

I'm not sure you can do it with Backburner.
By the way, you are supposed to send a DOS command, not a 3dsmax job.
He's the thing :

Make a Install.bat file :
\\network_path\my_vray_install.exe -gui=0 -configFile=\\network_path\install_variables.xml -quiet=1

And a install_variables.xml file : (with good value for your version and so..)
<DefValues>
<Value Name="MAXROOT" DataType="value">C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2015\</Value>
<Value Name="STDROOT" DataType="value">C:\Program Files\Chaos Group\V-Ray\3dsmax 2015 for x64</Value>
<Value Name="RTROOT" DataType="value">C:\Program Files\Chaos Group\V-Ray\RT for 3ds Max 2015 for x64</Value>
<Value Name="PLUGINS" DataType="value">C:\Program Files\Autodesk\3ds Max 2015\plugins</Value>
<Value Name="STARTMENUPROG" DataType="value">C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\ Start Menu\Programs</Value>
<Value Name="COMMONFILES" DataType="value">C:\Program Files\Common Files</Value>
<Value Name="OPEN_README" DataType="value">0</Value>
<Value Name="OPEN_CHANGELOG" DataType="value">0</Value>
<Value Name="INSTALL_TYPE" DataType="value">1</Value>
<Value Name="LICENSE_TYPE" DataType="value">0</Value>
<Value Name="INSTALL_WIBU" DataType="value">0</Value>
<Value Name="REG_LIC_SERVER" DataType="value">0</Value>
<Value Name="REMOTE_LICENSE" DataType="value">1</Value>
<Value Name="AUTO_INSTALL_UIMENUS" DataType="value">1</Value>
</DefValues>


Now you "just" have to execute the Install.bat on your render node.
As Dmitry said, you can use a real ( ) render manager, like Deadline, to send the cmd over network, or you can remote yours machines & double click on the bat, old school style.

Hope it helps !

-p-

[stevesideas]

Thanks Pingus I'll give it a go

[3LP]

We use Refamo for 4 years and it just wonderful to manage the farm (and all the nodes updates)

Stan

[stevesideas]

Better than backburner ? and how does it stack vs deadline ?

[pingus]

No mater witch rendermanager you use, the time it is not backburner

They all basically bring the sames thing : stability (on crash, on number of jobs), automatisation on jobs (send a script on many jobs at same time) & on render nodes (send a cmd DOS on multiple machines) and many more...

[stevesideas]

I'm giving the trial a go. Thanks

[jacksc02]

Steve,
Check this out -
http://docs.chaosgroup.com/display/V...rary+location#

I would recommend running vray on a render farm like this.
I have done the Refamo thing in the past for installing vray but this way is much less of a headache

[stevesideas]

Thanks Chris. I'll check this out too.

[DannyA]

did anyone have issues with UAC when running these installs? I'm trying to run a 3ds max deployment but it always brings up the UAC dialogue. I have disabled it in a computer OU in Group Policy but still, it persists.

[ivan.slavchev]

Do you use a local admin or a domain admin to run the silent install? Do the UAC appear as disabled in the registry?
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Policies\System-> "LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy" should be set to "1" and "EnableLUA" should be set to "0"