networking problems

[trajic]

hey, I could really use some help. I am unsure about my network setup, which currently is 5 machines, 1 workstation, 1 server for files. I have tried all sorts of ways to get these renders to stop crashing. I am pretty sure it is my networking that is causing these errors, such as, DR will just stop and give me an unhandled execution saying "map 15" or "map 5" is missing. All the machines have the same max.ini file pointing to the maps. I can render the scenes fine when I do not use DR or BB, but as soon as I try all Hell breaks loose. I have tried mapping network drives and also UNC, none seem to provide adequate output. I am unsure if I need to purchase a switch, as of right now I am using win XP pro with 2 8 port routers. Is this causing the slow down? Sometimes I can not even access shared files on the server, other times it takes 20-30 seconds before I can get shared access. Am I doing something wrong? I can ping from every server to another fine.

any help, please, thanks.

[trajic]

here is a current error , unhandled execution map 12 missing. It only said that on one of the machines, the others continued. it goes back and forth, sometimes 1 machine, sometimes them all.

[instinct]

What kind of setup is the server ?

Regards,
Thorsten

[trajic]

just a simple box, amd x2, (2) 400 gig WD in RAID 1, 2 gigs ram, winx xp pro. Just is coming to a crawl right now. Trying to copy from one machine to the next, getting time outs and almost feels like packet loss. All firewalls are disabled.

[instinct]

for a server XP Pro is the wrong choice. XP Pro allows a maximum of 10 concurrent connections. So there might just be no connections left and hence slaves fail to be able to access maps on the server. You should switch the fileserver to either linux or Win2k3 Server Edition.

Regards,
Thorsten

[trajic]

Ok I understand about the 10 limit, but with only 4 or 5 hooked up, is this still the case? I need server edition for that limited number of connections? How does server allow me to access files faster than xp?

[instinct]

Well there can be more connections then just 1 per box. License Server connections (wich are done by the VraySlave installs even tho they dont need a valid license themselves), mounted network drives, internet connections etc etc.

Regards,
Thorsten

[trajic]

so server edition handles the multiple connections differently? and if that is the case, do I need additional hardware to accompany the server?

[instinct]

not really. (unless the box is below 2k3 server's requirements, but i doubt that )

2k3 Server allows more connections and is generally better in managing network connections. For example our backburner manager started to work significantly more reliable after switching it to 2k3server. Our fileserver is a linux machine with a raid attached.

Regards,
Thorsten

[trajic]

OK thank you, I will see about getting a copy. If I am switching to 64 bit max/vray/win xp, what server edition should I get, 64 bit I assume, but what server edition?

[trajic]

I currently have a 10/100 switch, should I scrap that and put in a 10/100/1000 switch? Could that also be a reason for why some of the maps cannot be found and timeout?