Rendering Frequently Asked Questions
renderPRO Series
Personal Desk Side Rendering Solution
renderBOXX Series
The purpose-built high density render farm solution
Renderfarm On Wheels
Turn-key render farm solution.
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What is a renderBOXX?
renderBOXX is a dedicated rendering module specifically designed to deliver outstanding rendering performance for intensive VFX, animation, product design, engineering, and architectural visualization rendering workflows. The compact renderBOXX chassis (7.0" h x 1.7" h x 29.1 d") accommodates dual six core Intel® Xeon™5600 Series processors (12 cores) or dual quad core Intel® Xeon™ 5600 Series processors (8 cores in all) essential for VFX, animation, product design, engineering, and architectural visualization rendering workflows.
What number of renderBOXX modules constitutes a render farm?
Whether it contains only one renderBOXX or hundreds, a render farm is not defined by the number of modules it contains. It can be as small or expansive as you choose to make it. Two renderBOXX modules (24 cores) fit neatly into a 1RU (rack unit) space. As for the ten individual modules that make up the Ten Pack Render Farm (120 cores), they fit perfectly into a 4 rack unit space (7” x 19”). The Ten Pack is an ideal render farm by itself, yet is easily expandable to any size that meets your workflow demands. renderBOXX rack mount kit enclosures are available, so ask your BOXX sales consultant for details.
Can I render my 2D projects on a renderBOXX render farm (After Effects, etc)?
Yes, After Effects has a built in render engine that will also work with BOXX’s recommended queue manager PipelineFX Qube!
Do I need to segment the renderBOXX render farm off from the rest of our network?
Yes, with any render farm it is highly recommended to separate the render farm, storage, and queue manager each to their own network segment. In the ROW: Renderfarm On Wheels, this is automatically accomplished as a switch is included.
Are the final rendered files stored on the renderBOXX render farm?
No, it is optimal for the final renders to be sent to a centralized storage location.
Can I use the renderBOXX modules as workstations when they being aren’t being utilized for rendering?
Yes, PipelineFX Qube! allows for workstations to automatically become available to the render farm when the computer is not in use.
Can I monitor/administer the renderBOXX/jobs remotely?
Yes, KVM over IP allows for anyone connected to the same network as the render farm to have complete control of the renderBOXX modules.
Do I have to rack mount the renderBOXX modules?
No. The renderBOXX can work independently just like any workstation, so if you don’t have a rack, it’s not a problem. However, rack mount kit enclosures are available, so ask your BOXX sales consultant for details. In addition, we do recommend that you keep renderBOXX modules in a separate room as they are slightly louder than a standard workstation.
Are renderBOXX modules loud?
See previous answer.
Do renderBOXX modules require any additional cooling?
No, renderBOXX modules are designed to work in standard room temperatures.
Do renderBOXX modules mount into a server or blade rack with a backplane?
renderBOXX systems include their own shelf which can hold ten renderBOXX modules in a 4U (rack unit) space. This is not to be confused with a blade system which features a proprietary enclosure that requires the back of each blade to connect directly with a backplane. renderBOXX modules act independently of the shelf and do not have that same requirement.
Am I required to mount all of my applications and plug-ins onto the renderBOXX modules?
Yes, you need to install everything that works with any application you are planning on using with the renderBOXX render farm.
Does renderBOXX work with Windows® operating systems?
Yes, our renderBOXX render farms are cross platform capable working with the applications and operating systems supported by PipelineFX Qube!, our recommended queue management application. Learn more about Qube! at http://pipelinefx.com/products/supported-applications/
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