32 bit/64 bit rears it's ugly head AGAIN

[MikeHampton]

This is a max issue.. not specifically a vray issue.

I've read on here and other forums trying to find some clear answers to these questions.. but haven't found it yet.

I have a current 32 bit environment.

We are buying new servers and we bought one set up as 64 bit to test it out.

Of course we are having problems, go figure.

We are currently running Max 9 and Vray 1.5sp3 32 bit on everything, except on the new server we installed max 9 64 bit and vray 1.5sp3 64 bit.

I can see this new render node show up on the backbunner queue monitor. I can not see it from my 32 bit workstation in the network job assignment window.

I've tried submiting a job to a 32 bit server and use the queue monitor to reassign it to the 64bit machine and all I got was an error in tranfering the file.

After reading numerous threads and getting more confused ... her are my questions.

1) Why can't I see the 64 bit server in my network job assignment window?

2) I've read where when you install 64 bit max that it also installs the 32 bit version. There does seem to be a (x86) folder on the 64 bit machine that has an autodesk/max 9/backburner folder in it. Is this the case? Or do I need to also install max 9 32 bit (and vray 32 bit) on the 64 bit machine?

3) In the advanced tab on the network job assignment window there is supposed to be a Submit as 32 bit/ Submit as 64 bit check boxes. I don't see that. Is that only in newer versions of max? Or is that only in the 64 bit versions of max?

4) My understanding is that a job can only be submitted as either a 32 bit job where all machines will render it (in 32 bit max on the 64 bit machines, where you are not getting the memory benifit of the 64 bits), or you submit as a 64 bit job where only the 64 bit machines will render it. Correct?

5) In order to render it as 64 bit... does a job have to be submitted from a 64 bit workstation with 64 bit max?

6) Vray DR works irregardess of the mix of 32 bit/64 bit machines that it is spread accross. Right? I haven't tried this yet.. so don't know if it's working or not.


Any insight would be appreciated

[MikeHampton]

Vray DR

I tried vray DR on the 64 bit machine and I get a warning that a connection could not be made because the target machine actively refused it.

Something to note: When I launch the vray DR spawner on the 64 bit machine, the icon in the tray shows up for about 2 seconds and then disappears. When I look in the task manager.. there doesn't appear to have the DR spawner service running.

Any ideas? Vray issue? Window permission issue? Other?

[cgrant3d]

First off - just to get the basics out of the way you'll need to install max 64 & 32 on the 64 bit node. Then you'll do the same with VRay and any plugins. When you run server on the 64 bit node it'll say in the status area that it loaded 3ds Max 32 bit and 3ds Max 64 bit.

This is a max issue.. not specifically a vray issue.
1) Why can't I see the 64 bit server in my network job assignment window?

Because that server only has 64 bit max installed thus it doesn't have the ability to render 32 bit files (remember all the plugins are different for 32 bit. Once you install 32 bit versions this you'll see it in the job assignment window.

2) I've read where when you install 64 bit max that it also installs the 32 bit version. There does seem to be a (x86) folder on the 64 bit machine that has an autodesk/max 9/backburner folder in it. Is this the case? Or do I need to also install max 9 32 bit (and vray 32 bit) on the 64 bit machine?

I don't recall what the default is but I'd guess the installer didn't install 32 bit Max. Just run the install again but this time uncheck all 64 bit options.

3) In the advanced tab on the network job assignment window there is supposed to be a Submit as 32 bit/ Submit as 64 bit check boxes. I don't see that. Is that only in newer versions of max? Or is that only in the 64 bit versions of max?

I didn't start using 64 bit until Max 2008 so I can't say for sure but for me 2008/2009 both have the "Submit as 32/64" option - even when submitting from 32 bit version.

4) My understanding is that a job can only be submitted as either a 32 bit job where all machines will render it (in 32 bit max on the 64 bit machines, where you are not getting the memory benifit of the 64 bits), or you submit as a 64 bit job where only the 64 bit machines will render it. Correct?

Correct.

5) In order to render it as 64 bit... does a job have to be submitted from a 64 bit workstation with 64 bit max?

Not with 2008/2009 at least. I can submit a job from 32 bit machine, turn on "Submit as 64 bit" and send it away...

6) Vray DR works irregardess of the mix of 32 bit/64 bit machines that it is spread accross. Right? I haven't tried this yet.. so don't know if it's working or not.

Correct. Although if you DR a file from 64 bit that needs too much RAM your 32 bit DR slaves will crash.

[sea2stars]

4) My understanding is that a job can only be submitted as either a 32 bit job where all machines will render it (in 32 bit max on the 64 bit machines, where you are not getting the memory benifit of the 64 bits), or you submit as a 64 bit job where only the 64 bit machines will render it. Correct?

I've noticed that when network rendering 32 bit Max on my 64 bit workstation, the program has more RAM available to it; almost like having the 3GB switch enabled on a 32 bit system. Has anyone else experienced this?

[vlado]

I've noticed that when network rendering 32 bit Max on my 64 bit workstation, the program has more RAM available to it; almost like having the 3GB switch enabled on a 32 bit system. Has anyone else experienced this?

This is true; 64-bit windows will give more RAM even to 32-bit applications (similar to the /3GB switch).

Best regards,
Vlado

[MikeHampton]

Vray DR

Cgrant,

Thanks for the info.. that clears a lot of things up.



About Vray DR though. I gave full access to the login for the choas/vray folder and now DR spawner seems to load fine now.

However.. when I try to submit a DR job.. that machine still activily refuses the connection.


Any thoughts?

*EDIT* Nevermind... I was having an issue with a "run as administrator" with one of the max processes. Once that was resolved.. DR seems to be working fine now.

Thanks for everyone's info!

[tanguyBODIVIT]

Hum, we get the same before here, and we fix it in changing the lan setings from DHCP to IP Fix, DR can't listen DHCP nodes, it seems, so Fix IP and that should fix your problem, i guess...

Tanguy