tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57325905096843626952024-03-13T19:23:05.489+08:00Vicvoon's Blog"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."VVC-elearning.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11776284423007634254noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732590509684362695.post-1567226464212125632015-08-17T05:30:00.001+08:002022-03-18T15:49:02.763+08:00DIY Your NAS (Network-attached storage)<p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EgLS5V4Wf1M/VdJfclrPtuI/AAAAAAAATSw/1z0D3gvJcJ0/s1600-h/NASPhoto%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="NASPhoto" border="0" alt="NASPhoto" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1guoMALOKpY/VdG55Xp5dEI/AAAAAAAATS4/lJRxmW2zTG4/NASPhoto_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="191"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zbwbYr32vko/VdJDAonfygI/AAAAAAAATOE/ggU-_g2n21A/s1600-h/1-10153234807932278%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1-10153234807932278" border="0" alt="1-10153234807932278" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E2JMYpS79yg/VdJDDQ9R0cI/AAAAAAAATOQ/EqiFMN_GfJU/1-10153234807932278_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="125" height="126"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MjbkO-zky6M/VdJf5pm4qoI/AAAAAAAATTE/HqGVHtyVQLY/s1600-h/1-10153234612997278%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1-10153234612997278" border="0" alt="1-10153234612997278" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MiXaubrKYlU/VdJDJxeaFeI/AAAAAAAATTM/LqrQqj1UWmU/1-10153234612997278_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="125" height="125"></a><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="NASPhoto2" border="0" alt="NASPhoto2" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C2P5e9w5FHI/VdJDc8rCklI/AAAAAAAATTY/c6KlBBNrpU4/NASPhoto2%25255B31%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="199"></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size: xx-small">Updated: 15/08/2015 rev. 2.2</span></p> <h4>SUMMARY</h4> <ul> <li>Introduction to NAS </li> <li>This article is about Do-It-Yourself dedicated centralised fileserver. </li> <li>This article discuss about the Operating System and hardware related to this built in general. </li> <li>The NAS storage capacity demonstrated in this article is limited to 15 Terra Bytes expandable (by stages) with 5 Hard Drives 3TB each limited to the selected hardware and budget. A reasonable scale for SOHO and small studio environment. </li> <li>This article is for non technical people. </li> <li><u><span style="color: #ffc000"><strong>Limitation of this article:</strong></span></u> Does not discussed in details of the selected OS features and configurations of the selected platform. </li> <li>The arrangement of this article is as follows: Introduction to NAS and NAS OS, brief discussion about the network (part 2), the setup and systems, stages of storage expansion, cost breakdown (part 2), photos, some advise and opinions. </li></ul> <a name='more'></a> <h4></h4> <h4> </h4> <h4>WHAT IS NAS AND WHAT DO WE DO WITH IT?</h4> <p> </p> <p>Network-attached storage aka NAS is a file server that acts as a data storage server connected to a LAN or Local Area Network. Basically is a computer or device / enclosure (scaled down version of a computer) specialised for serving files / data only. In short, we store our files e.g. documents, music, videos etc. in this device. Hence can be shared to others within the same network or through the internet should we choose to do so. Do not expect NAS works like a full fetch server that able to host web pages, acts like a firewall and so on by default. Yes some of the commercial NAS offers such features, in the form of plug-in or add-on however this might degrade and defeat the NAS purpose. In the simplest term NAS can share data across network and the fastest way to centralised data sharing, easily accessible for all types of platforms and network protocols in particular in a mixed environment and departments. <br><br>Somewhere 2010 NAS devices began to gain popularity as a convenient method of sharing files among multiple computers because of its ease of use. It is much simpler to administer and do not require high level of technical know-how to operate unless you configure the server yourself from scratch or customise as a solution for your clients. Compared to general-purpose servers, which equipped with much more sophisticated Operating Systems like Microsoft Windows server, Linux or even UNIX platform are not meant for end users or a person like me.<br><br><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="small NAS" border="0" alt="small NAS" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yD2us0C4gdY/VdG56FY5aWI/AAAAAAAAS_E/xglrd7UtNqw/small%252520NAS%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244">I was introduced to NAS by a friend of mine <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+OliverLeeOrenity/posts" target="_blank">Mr. Oliver</a> in 2008. At that time I was looking for a solution that is easy to deploy and fast. Shortly after that I setup a small off-the-shelf NAS (a generic NAS with no particular brand) for my formal company just to store photos for the design department. I know it is easy to deploy without much assistance from the IT guys where we worked around the clock and they don’t. It is a simple device with a circuit board built inside the casing that look nothing more than just an external hard disk. All you need to do is to install a hard disk inside, switch it on and configure the system through the internet browser with an instruction manual of cause. One set back about small NAS is, when traffics in the network are heavy and congested it heats up really fast and slow down. It stayed on for few years even after I left the company. To me that consider very good for the value of RM 250 excluding the hard drive and served it purpose and saved the company expenditure. <br><br></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <h4>SOME EXAMPLE OF HOME BASED AND COMMERCIAL NAS</h4> <p> </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="WDMCLM4TB_02_wd_4tb_my_cloud_mirror_personal_storage" border="0" alt="WDMCLM4TB_02_wd_4tb_my_cloud_mirror_personal_storage" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OYGWOIclZwQ/VdJD1miidSI/AAAAAAAATP8/nNXJrIJvmaA/WDMCLM4TB_02_wd_4tb_my_cloud_mirror_personal_storage%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="204"></p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Sys213air" border="0" alt="Sys213air" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-75NX7Zcp_nU/VdJD-k7PSRI/AAAAAAAATQI/lYIUI9Wnkcs/Sys213air%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="204"></p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="StorageReview-iXsystems-FreeNAS-Mini" border="0" alt="StorageReview-iXsystems-FreeNAS-Mini" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7kd9v9MFoT0/VdJEL3aRezI/AAAAAAAATQU/c1RRGDCgJvQ/StorageReview-iXsystems-FreeNAS-Mini%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="204"></p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="ThecusN5200" border="0" alt="ThecusN5200" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VD601EQnuak/VdJENkyXDEI/AAAAAAAATQg/LH8zBnTbKNk/ThecusN5200%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="234" height="244"></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="3">NAS comes in many shapes and sizes depending on the hardware, prices and of cause the brand. There are many good ones in the market (off-the-shelf products). Example of Commercial NAS:</font><a href="http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=1200" target="_blank"><font size="3">WD 4TB My Cloud Mirror Personal Storage</font></a><font size="3">, </font><a href="https://www.synology.com/en-us/" target="_blank"><font size="3">Synology DiskStation DS213air</font></a><font size="3">, </font><a href="https://www.ixsystems.com/freenas-mini/" target="_blank"><font size="3">iXsystems FreeNAS Mini</font></a><font size="3"> and </font><a href="http://www.thecus.com/product.php?PROD_ID=5" target="_blank"><font size="3">Thecus N5200</font></a><font size="3">. They are plenty of information about these NAS and if you are not sure which one suits you? I suggest you to get some advise from the net. Below I have prepared some links for your perusal. </font></p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2354173,00.asp" target="_blank">PCmag.com - How to Buy Network-Attached Storage (NAS)</a> </li> <li><a href="http://www.newegg.com/product/CategoryIntelligenceArticle.aspx?articleId=335" target="_blank">newegg.com - NAS Buying Guide</a> </li> <li><a href="http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/nas-network-storage/" target="_blank">pcadvisor.co.uk - NAS (network storage) Reviews</a></li></ul> <p> </p><font size="3"> <hr> <u><font color="#ffff00">Note:</font></u> <br>Some of these NAS are Linux based and Off-The-Shelf NAS doesn’t mean you can simply get from any computer shops. Some of these NAS are high-end products and you might need to locate computer dealers that specialises in Networking solutions or you might need to order online.</font> <hr> <p><br>By saying so, you also can build one on your own if you are an enthusiast and passionate about computer technologies. In addition to this, from an end user point of view sometimes we can not rely too much with the ready-made product where most often can not meet our needs or fulfill our requirements. The OS is free (most of them) and you can learn how to configure it through forums and even YouTube. <br><br>There are many helpful people out there willing to help you but you need to ask the right questions and state your intentions. However, before you start to build and choose your own hardware, you need to know the specifications that recommended for the NAS OS you have planned to use and should gain more knowledge from the documentation in their website. Sometimes using the best hardware doesn’t mean the NAS OS will run smoothly because these OS are not for general purpose or for common users. The OS was written for certain type of hardware e.g Network cards in order to work properly.<br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YoukP8t8IVY/VdJEQnHBWMI/AAAAAAAATPk/xJIZ-1gI6ik/s1600-h/NAS%252520diagram%25255B8%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="NAS diagram" border="0" alt="NAS diagram" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P5R2E1xKSio/VdJEaRJrdRI/AAAAAAAATPw/AXx4fA6kZ_s/NAS%252520diagram_thumb%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="266" height="327"></a>I need NAS because of my works where I have mixed platforms in my workshop (my mum called it a store - in fact, it was a store and I turned it to a workshop). I conduct a lot of research on the courses I teach and needed a storage system to keep my temporary training materials, manuals that I wrote or even projects before finalising them and upload to the cloud. There also high resolutions graphic files generated both in static and sequential images for motion graphics formats. Apart from that, audio clips and some movie footage that require huge amount of hard disk space. I want to separate these data from my production machines for the reasons of efficiencies. </p> <p>So I have production computers that consist of working files and I need a server that stores my raw/reference materials, temporary materials for productions and research database. In some cases, the sequential images from production machines can be stored in real-time directly to the NAS across the network. Reading and writing back to a centralised data server is very common in the work of motion graphics. </p> <p>From time to time, I program my own client / server database application using <a href="http://www.filemaker.com/" target="_blank">Filemaker pro advance</a> (not the server edition) and work on <a href="https://wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Wordpress</a> that wrapped and runs inside a portable webserver (<a href="http://www.usbwebserver.net/en/" target="_blank">USBwebserver</a>). All these are stored in a centralised Fileserver. These applications requires a fast hard disk and a fast transfer rate where only high performance NAS can deliver. This is not possible for home-based NAS like my existing D-link and the high-end NAS is just too expensive.</p> <p><u><font color="#ffff00">Remark:<br></font></u>Based on my working experience, with web development on a portable webserver and Client / server database application on USB drive or stored on a Slow NAS, chances are you will get errors and if you are unlucky data may corrupt. Most often we blame the technology is not stable. To work with these type of tasks you need to use fast USB 3.0 pendrive / USB 3.0 external Hard drive or High performance NAS. I wish and hope that one day NAS will be able to use SSD hard drive as data buffer module to enhance the read and write routine or other methods. Maybe it has already existed that I have yet to discover.<br><br><br></p> <h4>THE NAS OS</h4> <div> </div> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="freenas logo" border="0" alt="freenas logo" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UP_9I1Bd20M/VdG56-msXcI/AAAAAAAAS_M/cU8-IQ_8rMY/freenas%252520logo%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="67">Choosing the right NAS Operating System is very hard to elaborate. You need to get a computer (preferably used computer) to try on it or the best approach is to ask around and conduct your own research. So far in Kota Kinabalu, there is no NAS operating system courses available. Properly there is, perhaps only happened within a certain group of community or NGOs and many still prefer to DIY themselves and share among friends. It is possible that some vendors or companies customize their own NAS as solutions and some sell as a commercial product. Unfortunately I am not in that circle.</p> <p><br><br><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="NAS4Free-Logo" border="0" alt="NAS4Free-Logo" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sol1NYBOtfA/VdG57uH63jI/AAAAAAAAS_U/j-FOm3x1kJE/NAS4Free-Logo%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="92">So often that NAS OS is a stripped-down operating system mainly which are free and open source. For example <a href="http://www.freenas.org/" target="_blank">FreeNAS</a> and <a href="http://www.nas4free.org/" target="_blank">NAS4Free</a>. Both of them were designed for commercial PC and a stripped-down version of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FreeBSD" target="_blank">FreeBSD</a> which is a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unix">UNIX OS</a>. I understand that <a href="https://wiki.freebsd.org/Myths" target="_blank">Apple OS X were built on top of FreeBSD</a>. However, I am not sure how accurate is that. In short, NAS OS is a UNIX operating system that used to run on a multi million workstation and servers. There are professionals who preferred to use <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unix">Linux</a> as their choice of NAS OS.</p> <p><br><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ic2mAU8aQzc/VdJr6AMTdlI/AAAAAAAATTs/IAIUWioqP1Y/s1600-h/freenas-wiki1-image01%25255B11%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="freenas-wiki1-image01" border="0" alt="freenas-wiki1-image01" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r2RA3TV9OJg/VdG58TC_o9I/AAAAAAAATT0/2IO-06hXZfk/freenas-wiki1-image01_thumb%25255B11%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="244" height="169"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5woqRQbiz_c/VdHv8jVq2sI/AAAAAAAATUA/BKREJLIUW_g/s1600-h/freenas%252520screensaver%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="freenas screensaver" border="0" alt="freenas screensaver" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-79A-uUvMbQQ/VdHv936oPvI/AAAAAAAATUM/gTRdlTLXOrs/freenas%252520screensaver_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="213" height="172"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>In most cases, with open source NAS OS, you will not find pretty face (GUI) like those in the Mac or Windows OS that you can click here and there and decorated with beautiful animated Icons. To operate NAS OS Is like stepping back to the DOS era where all you see is only text and prompt if you access directly from the NAS server. You are lucky sometimes if you see some welcome screen with a rectangular shape-liked, surrounding the message made of plus or minus symbols. I think the most interesting part of the NAS OS system is the animated screensaver with a little devil holding a fork with his hands. <br><br></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eNYB4IjZPrc/VdJsBfU08OI/AAAAAAAATUY/Knfm23EJmuA/s1600-h/freenas_webgui%25255B1%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="freenas_webgui" border="0" alt="freenas_webgui" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sr03ktwA-90/VdG5-Ict5kI/AAAAAAAATUg/p3tyXEp0FkY/freenas_webgui_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="244" height="225"></a></p> <p>You can however access the web interface (Web GUI) and configure the NAS entirely from another computer using the web browser, notebook or even tablet or smartphone. It is very versatile. This can only be done when the NAS successfully booted up to the main menu. You can reboot and shutdown the NAS with the Web GUI but you can not ON it remotely. Therefore we still need a monitor for the NAS for observation and troubleshooting should it failed to boot.<br><br></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>To remotely control or ON the NAS like a real server you need more than just the OS itself. You need a server motherboard that has IPMI (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_Platform_Management_Interface" target="_blank">Intelligent Platform Management Interface</a>) built-in and communicate with an application installed on a client computer. This feature can be found on (listed below) <a href="http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/ATOM/ICH9/X7SPA.cfm?typ=H&IPMI=Y" target="_blank">Supermicro X7SPA-HF</a>, <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157475" target="_blank">ASRock C2750D4I</a>, <a href="http://b2b.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4841#ov" target="_blank">Gigabyte GA-6LISL</a>, <a href="https://www.asus.com/Commericial-Servers-Workstations/P9DI/specifications/" target="_blank">Asus P9D-I</a> and many other models out there. However, not all server motherboard has the feature. Nevertheless, the quality of such products were built for efficiency and durability. Using one of these boards for my rig unfortunately is way off the budget for sure.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xLcC853oNHM/VdJsDJQu_jI/AAAAAAAATUs/TPuCYzejTjU/s1600-h/SupermicroX7SPA-HF%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SupermicroX7SPA-HF" border="0" alt="SupermicroX7SPA-HF" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tJXTVuGUKpg/VdHwERkebdI/AAAAAAAATU0/mpQxrQuKBQA/SupermicroX7SPA-HF_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="208"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8sg_gMStYLs/VdJsEg2gMVI/AAAAAAAATU8/dNhyKCJNkjE/s1600-h/AsrockC2750D4I%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="AsrockC2750D4I" border="0" alt="AsrockC2750D4I" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-No4G50OmpkI/VdHwIKs0aOI/AAAAAAAATVI/YC8a978zlsY/AsrockC2750D4I_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="208"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B_M0_Q6wzkE/VdJsHXIFN5I/AAAAAAAATVU/XzHYbIT6TKY/s1600-h/GigabyteGA_6LISL%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="GigabyteGA_6LISL" border="0" alt="GigabyteGA_6LISL" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f_sEKaRflds/VdHwKyqJFhI/AAAAAAAATVc/aISbh4JOwws/GigabyteGA_6LISL_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="176" height="208"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fUfGy8e9QBA/VdJsJXjkx6I/AAAAAAAATVo/qIuitYP2_Uc/s1600-h/AsusP9D_I_2D%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="AsusP9D_I_2D" border="0" alt="AsusP9D_I_2D" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-djHW51uskwg/VdHwMozt6tI/AAAAAAAATVw/jYD3-FdL8jM/AsusP9D_I_2D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a><br></p> <p> </p> <h4>WHY DO WE NEED TO BUILD FROM SCRATCH?</h4> <p> </p>I built many computer systems before in my past for companies and personal used. One thing I learned, using old parts to build a system for file storage was never a good idea unless the data is dispensable. For testing and troubleshooting yes but not if you want something that is reliable and stable. There are so many factors that you need to consider such as OS and hardware compatibility issue is one of them. From the day you put up a computer with new parts and the day you take them apart and build a new one out of it will never be the same. <br><br>Problems like dry joints, mounting on the motherboard components, warped motherboard due to heat, dust deposited on the surface soak with moisture, components life span and so on will produce intermediate problem if not in the near future. A problem that hard to detect. The way we store the components is also a factor causing them to fail such as static. <br><br>Isn't that a waste? No is not because we already used the lifespan of the computer and if we do insist to use them then it depends on what we want to do with it. In the case of this project, my personal opinion is better to build one from scratch. <br><br><br> <h4>MY NAS EXPERIENCE</h4> <p> </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1-382151232277" border="0" alt="1-382151232277" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pI_-OJ_isKQ/VdHwNFUwXOI/AAAAAAAATFw/ylKVx7tcJhw/1-382151232277%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="204"></p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="3-383395832277" border="0" alt="3-383395832277" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vc9H81eOgUo/VdHwN3cxhUI/AAAAAAAATF4/he1FWNwKCGM/3-383395832277%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="204"></p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="4-382170007277" border="0" alt="4-382170007277" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qtdudyq92x0/VdHwOjv8PaI/AAAAAAAATGA/2vDyhheG140/4-382170007277%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="204"></p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="5-382445157277" border="0" alt="5-382445157277" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wT3hPrzUQNw/VdHwPHfoPJI/AAAAAAAATGI/ZnaNwHW6H1Q/5-382445157277%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="204"></p> <p>In 2010 I wanted to DIY a NAS. So a friend of mine gave me this Compaq Server which not working anymore. I took it apart, studied it and it was just too expensive to modify the chassis for normal PC motherboard. It was a good quality computer and I think it should be very expensive. So nope… and I gave it away.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1-385045497277" border="0" alt="1-385045497277" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gJg46pCuslM/VdHwQl40gjI/AAAAAAAATRc/GPQ51j9UAIM/1-385045497277.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2-385045502277" border="0" alt="2-385045502277" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q80--lqli94/VdHwSGqXQdI/AAAAAAAATRo/DamAp8Fewlw/2-385045502277.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="3-385045507277" border="0" alt="3-385045507277" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aq4fCBvhmgI/VdHwUufGlCI/AAAAAAAATR0/7PVeJhTVW14/3-385045507277.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></p> <p> </p> <p>Shortly after that, I took out this Old Mac that I brought back from Kuala Lumpur thinking to modify and put in a PC board instead. Nice design but unfortunately the plastic started to disintegrate particularly on the locking mechanism. It was a very complicated system the way they constructed it. Apple should have kept it simple instead of adding tons of plastic materials inside the chassis. So again forget about this and I gave it away.</p> <p> </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="pentium4" border="0" alt="pentium4" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w14kmcXlQ04/VdG5-yJmnbI/AAAAAAAAS_s/_FBft8rRM_s/pentium4%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139">Then I turned back to basic and got on hold of this old Pentium 4 with 4MB RAM and a 40MB hard disk. Installed FreeNAS in a 4GB USB pendrive. Indeed it was fast and stable. After a while I had issues with the hardware due to the fact that it was an old computer and I have no idea how long it will last. This was expected, nevertheless the OS is stable, easy to configure and reliable. I needed a NAS and have identified the OS, but unfortunately I didn't have enough saving to rig a brand new computer then (I was jobless or in between jobs). I didn't want to waste the efforts to build a half bake computer using some new parts. Based on my experience, it simply just won’t last. So I decided to skip the project and started to shop for off-the-shelf NAS. At least you can concentrate on the job that you suppose to do instead of guessing what went wrong with the NAS all the time. Very unproductive and no peace of mind.</p> <p><br><br><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DNS-320" border="0" alt="DNS-320" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M7UpEQBwECs/VdG6AdNazSI/AAAAAAAAS_0/1xpVsR9IA9k/DNS-320%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="217">D-link Share Center is a nice and simple NAS that has its own operating system and has 2 bay for 2TB Hard drive. It is simple to configure, has a small footprint and the design is nice too. There are some limitation on this unit such as slow transfer rate and you can not expand anymore with the built-in spec. Of cause you can always get another one. It cost about RM350 those days excluding hard disk. I believe I purchased this NAS since 2011 and has been in operational until today.</p> <p><br>I keep my important files, videos, music etc. and another benefit of NAS is, you can share with MAC and other platforms beside than Windows. It doesn't have a cloud sharing feature that you can pair with your smartphones and tablets. Not that fancy but that is alright. <br></p> <p><br>Regardless you buy a ready-made NAS or use an old computer for your NAS, it is entirely up to your requirement. Also it depends what and how you want to use it as well as your expectation. If you want to test or get a feel out of it, all you need to do is find a used computer somewhere in the store room, one 8gb USB pendrive 2.0 (FreeNAS doesn’t work well with USB 3.0) and install the OS and give it a spin. <br><br>But if you want something less hassle and easy to setup then I suggest you to get the commercial Home-based NAS like the <a href="http://www.dlink.com/uk/en/support/product/dns-320-2-bay-sharecenter-network-storage-enclosure">D-link 320</a> if you on a budget or spend a little bit more for something better like those listed earlier. Remember to use a power stabliser to ensure the stability of the power supply so that your NAS last longer.<br></p> <p><br><br> </p> <h4><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="10153122394047278" border="0" alt="10153122394047278" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I5DGmoGXuWs/VdG6BJbd8uI/AAAAAAAATI8/0uB1vxQAeIo/10153122394047278%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244">IDEAS OF THE NAS BUILT</h4> <p><br>To start with, I like to have a dedicated NAS to store my video productions, sequential rendered images, audio clips etc. I want a faster transfer rate and a bigger storage space that I can upgrade from time to time. I have established the ideas of how the casing or the general shape of the NAS enclosure should look like, the specifications and of cause that fits in the budget. </p> <p>Unlike rigging my <a href="http://vicvoon.blogspot.com/2014/09/introduction-to-distributed-network.html">workstation and rendernodes</a> was a straight forward decision where my main concern were the scopes and tasks of those computers, but not when we have a certain desire or lust how this rig should be. From the design, the colour scheme and the type of materials used (both inside and outside the box) and capacity of the NAS, all these involve money and I have no idea how much it will cost in the end just because of “feels”. But that is what I want…! So it is good to have guidelines that helps on the decision making.<br></p> <p><br> </p> <hr> <p><br>Criteria in brief:<br></p> <ul> <li>A Chassis that has minimalist design and medium size. (the enclosure) </li> <li>Fast transfer rates for videos and large graphic files. (the motherboard) </li> <li>Scalable according to my needs. (enclosure, CPU and motherboard) </li> <li>If possible not to use any monitor for this NAS but that is not practical because the board I use doesn’t have IPMI chip and therefore it should be small. (the monitor) </li> <li>The overall rig should be close to those high-end commercial NAS design. (the total outcome of the NAS) </li> <li>Able to boot as windows box from time to time for updating the BIOS and use as a <a href="http://vicvoon.blogspot.com/2014/09/introduction-to-distributed-network.html" target="_blank">rendernode</a> in the future. (additional hard disk for windows and scalability of CPU) </li></ul> <ul></ul> <ul></ul> <ul></ul> <hr> <p><br>Frankly, there was a bit of struggle between the design and the budget when I outlined all the criteria and include the little details. After 2 months of sourcing and purchasing the parts, In the middle of that timeframe the Malaysian government started with their GST program that caused a setback. I cut some of the spending and concentrate on putting the NAS together way ahead of the initial planned. The plan was to start with 2 hard drives but I get one instead. That saved me almost RM500 for a 3TB WD red label. In addition to that, some parts needed for the modification on the chassis like the hard disk 4 bay rack were slashed back because the product no longer in production where manufactured by the same company. So in the planning and implementation stage there were so many changes in terms of swapping different components, modifications and dressing issues (such as the CPU fan type and colour, the Chassis fan and colours of the cable sleeves etc.). This is the fun part when you decide to rig your own computer. Along the way you learned so many things about the market movement, discovering new stuffs that branches to other areas of expertise and computer commodities in general. <br><br>In practice, you can control your spending / purchasing based on timing and availability of the parts you need. But some essential parts that you need to acquire first are the CPU, motherboard and the RAM. For example if you plan to have 16GB (2 x 8gb) of ram then you need to think about onetime purchase on these components. Don’t think about upgrade by stages. For the Hard Drives you can afford to do so but not the CPU, motherboard and the RAM. These parts are influenced by the market movement and technologies which explicitly happened in Sabah. The computer vendors simply just don’t keep a lot of stock.<br><br>Because of the requirement that I want, this NAS were mostly obtained online since none of the local suppliers have good price schedule after the GST implementation and none of them have the particular parts I need. Purchasing online has it set back tough, but now in Malaysia you can safely do so and their service is reliable. However, some parts like the 7in IPS panel LCD monitor controller kits and the cable sleeves were purchased from China. I was unable to obtained these parts locally since the DIY and custom computer integrators market is not that popular and they don't sell in small quantity. In fact I think, in Malaysia we have not even started the DIY trend yet accept there are few that i know of. However, these people are mostly graduates and specialist in their respected fields. </p> <p>This is a major draw back in terms of progress and innovation where in my opinion, we are going to stay that way for awhile. However, I have observed that younger generation started to rig their own computers especially for gamers and even common computer users. That is a good sign.<br><br><br><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 50px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Xigmatek_Nebula" border="0" alt="Xigmatek_Nebula" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FyDzAtpM8os/VdG6Bm-XNiI/AAAAAAAATJI/L3Yy1osrzV0/Xigmatek_Nebula%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="245" height="285"><font size="3">I ended up with </font><a href="http://www.xigmatek.com/product.php?productid=219"><font size="3">Xigmatek Nebula</font></a><font size="3"> after an extensive searched. It has a nice design and the quality of this chassis is beautify. In a sense that the design can last. The spec is exactly what I was hoping for:<br></font></p> <ul> <li><font size="1">Dimension: (L) 260x (H) 330x (W) 260mm </font></li> <li><font size="1">Drive Bay: 3.5" Internal x 2 (tool-free retainers) or 2.5” Internal x 2 </font></li> <li><font size="1">Expansion Slot: 2 slots </font></li> <li><font size="1">Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX </font></li> <li><font size="1">Power Supply: Standard P/S2(ATX) or EPS </font></li> <li><font size="1">Cooling System: Rear fan: Preinstalled one 1200 RPM 120mm silent Xigmatek XOF black bladed fan </font></li> <li><font size="1">I/O Panel: USB 3.0 x 2 and HD Audio in/out jacks </font></li> <li><font size="1">Max Graphic card Length: 200mm </font></li> <li><font size="1">Max CPU Cooler Height: 80mm </font></li> <li><font size="1">Chassis: 3 aluminum panels</font></li></ul> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1-10153160246777278" border="0" alt="1-10153160246777278" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1v30szXnVFk/VdHHTWhBUQI/AAAAAAAATHA/S8Rjcmbv8qQ/1-10153160246777278%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"><br><br><font size="3">Nice hard disk and power indicator at the bottom with a triangle shape chamfered corner is just marvelous. The colour is red when it is OFF and once you switched ON, it turns to bright orange colour. Just nice! </font></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="10153122394062278" border="0" alt="10153122394062278" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I4n6_RF0pzM/VdG6Sntv_aI/AAAAAAAATJU/2QXOLqgdKyQ/10153122394062278%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"><br><br><br><font size="3">A big power switch button is located on top of the cover panel. Clearly this casing was designed with standalone entity in mind. It gives me the sense of On/Off computer just like that way I envisioned it. The material is made of thin aluminum and has a nice sense of touch to it. Unfortunately the surrounding bevel does not include led light. But I guess in the future I can add in myself.</font><br><br><br><br></p> <p><br> </p> <p><br><br><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1-10153160247167278" border="0" alt="1-10153160247167278" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PKyERm1c_qA/VdG6TRcV48I/AAAAAAAATHM/EZ6xyY6UPtE/1-10153160247167278%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1-10153160248112278" border="0" alt="1-10153160248112278" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RCsEM9NSiBU/VdG6UPju_zI/AAAAAAAATAk/xm1ybHFw06g/1-10153160248112278%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="243" height="244"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3">The structure of the chassis is tough and the metal is thick. It is really a work of engineering and Xigmatek put tons of efforts on this chassis I guess. It has lots of tiny holes on the bottom plate for air inflow. Some nice ducting area for cable management and… <br></font></p> <p><font size="3"> </font></p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2-10153160247922278" border="0" alt="2-10153160247922278" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o6ZieQRoxmw/VdG6iTRGNqI/AAAAAAAATBU/5FWeWHocPVo/2-10153160247922278%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></p> <p><font size="3"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1-10153234608647278" border="0" alt="1-10153234608647278" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z2YSWjFN6ao/VdHHUrErsoI/AAAAAAAATBg/4yVvGS4JhAI/1-10153234608647278%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1-10153122393907278-001" border="0" alt="1-10153122393907278-001" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vEyKV391y7Y/VdHHVYyW1oI/AAAAAAAATJg/eCxUHuU46W4/1-10153122393907278-001%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3">… fantastic push-in interlocking clip system on the chassis cover. To take them off, you don’t need to use any screw driver. WOW…! how cool is that? The side panels are made of thick aluminum with brushed metal texture. That is just lovely. AWESOME…!!!<br><br></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"> </font></p> <p><strong><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1-10153160246297278" border="0" alt="1-10153160246297278" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hj4ugeVi5wo/VdHHV_UgfoI/AAAAAAAATBw/uCnAVndEEP4/1-10153160246297278%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_o9T68tHrpc/VdHHWyx-F_I/AAAAAAAATB4/JFQ9X5b2Css/s1600-h/1-10153160247237278%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1-10153160247237278" border="0" alt="1-10153160247237278" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Sotm8jX8xP8/VdHHXtrIwhI/AAAAAAAATCA/Msfe7T8q8k0/1-10153160247237278_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a><strong></strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p><strong></strong> <p><strong><br></strong><strong><br></strong><strong></strong> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong></strong> </p> <p><strong></strong> </p> <p><strong></strong> </p> <p><strong></strong> </p> <p><strong></strong> </p> <p><strong></strong> </p> <p><font size="3">The joints and connection of the aluminum covers are solid, precise and perfect. Each edge of the panel were beveled and smoothen to avoid accidental cut to you fingers. I guess Xigmatek engineers have incorporated some safety factors. The wonderful part is, it has 2 USB 3.0 (blue) by the beside of the chassis as well as Audio in and out. <font size="3">Great reinforcement on the chassis stand. </font></font></p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HZ-Cd3BuChU/VdHHYuFn_PI/AAAAAAAATCI/UPulj-QaN2A/s1600-h/1-10153160247532278%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1-10153160247532278" border="0" alt="1-10153160247532278" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ESxq3olhZAg/VdHHZQR8ZLI/AAAAAAAATCQ/aQ-jkRZD5xE/1-10153160247532278_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> <p><strong><strong><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2-10153160247912278" border="0" alt="2-10153160247912278" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vhueEebzxiM/VdHHaABKZ7I/AAAAAAAATCY/oV3P_IOWLfA/2-10153160247912278%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></strong></strong><strong></strong></p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"> </font></p> <p><font size="3">Well this design defines my ideas of a perfect NAS chassis. Simple, yet elegant and has a matte finished paint unlike some of those chassis painted with shinning metallic but with thin metal that bend easily. </font></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#ffc000"><u>Note: <br></u></font>There are few other options you can can consider from Xigmatek other than Nebula is the <a href="http://www.xigmatek.com/product.php?productid=235&type=photo" target="_blank"><font size="5">Nebula C</font></a> models.</p> <p><font size="6">NEBULA C series</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8ZIdftJxDf0/VdHbz6u7BxI/AAAAAAAATJs/tNCBzoq1658/s1600-h/Nebula%252520C%252520white%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Nebula C white" border="0" alt="Nebula C white" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FKREoQSMU1I/VdHb0mnUiOI/AAAAAAAATJ4/LuiFGE2_RhU/Nebula%252520C%252520white_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hUrgJe2r9WE/VdHb1W-3xlI/AAAAAAAATKE/TcPqAMVx8N4/s1600-h/GreenPinkNebula%252520C%252520cyan%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="GreenPinkNebula C cyan" border="0" alt="GreenPinkNebula C cyan" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AVC_5n90XeI/VdHb2Nhns2I/AAAAAAAATKQ/iewyhzfstKw/GreenPinkNebula%252520C%252520cyan_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3q9BiI7Dpx0/VdHb2hZ0VeI/AAAAAAAATKc/oJ4uwfsIBk0/s1600-h/Nebula%252520C%252520cyan%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Nebula C cyan" border="0" alt="Nebula C cyan" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ruqOMJQSqK0/VdHb3hK-vXI/AAAAAAAATKo/zvsicV4W12k/Nebula%252520C%252520cyan_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CWjuVXgfx-E/VdHb4nw78bI/AAAAAAAATK0/q0joZkyjN6o/s1600-h/PinkNebula%252520C%252520cyan%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="PinkNebula C cyan" border="0" alt="PinkNebula C cyan" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SZFNqdandDU/VdHb5X8JdJI/AAAAAAAATLA/-89XfvGX7VE/PinkNebula%252520C%252520cyan_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g2xi069gxcQ/VdHb6E2KAcI/AAAAAAAATLM/fCnLATYCrLI/s1600-h/Nebula%252520C%252520Yellow%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Nebula C Yellow" border="0" alt="Nebula C Yellow" align="left" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pS8rXECBa8c/VdHb6tH1JaI/AAAAAAAATLY/rj9QZpTg1gI/Nebula%252520C%252520Yellow_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5Y-kH3M10KE/VdHb7Vz9EKI/AAAAAAAATEA/Pnd-NZgKlYI/s1600-h/NebulaC1Banner%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="NebulaC1Banner" border="0" alt="NebulaC1Banner" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7bjnA-v2GOw/VdHb8PJiv7I/AAAAAAAATEI/PWayYy60T-o/NebulaC1Banner_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <hr> <br>This rig is mainly based on the design and look where these factors indeed add a little bit extra to the cost. But if this NAS place as a permanent element in your workspace, then I think it is worthwhile to think of it as part of the decorative items, instead of placing a bored looking computer that hardly can blend in. What I want is a craftsmanship that can be proud of, can be appreciated and yet functional. This is art. <br><br>You can use any other type of chassis that suits you. But in most cases if you were a designer then I believe you will agree with me on this decision I made. However, if you are the hard core type and don’t care much about looks and design then a simple chassis will do as long as it is functional.<br><br>I know that there are some enthusiasts used metal filing cabinet or chassis that made of wood out there. It is cool if you want to be like MacGyver but remember, this setup suppose to be durable and you are not going to take them apart after everything is done. Some even go farther, custom made with Plexiglas and others mostly built with used computer chassis and repaint them that look as new!<br><br>In this project I learned a lot, particularly setting up a basic local area network, troubleshooting and along the way I found other skill-set as well. But that, I will discuss in another time. The beauty about DIY allows us to learn from our mistakes, sharpening our skills and learn how to plan especially when it concern money. <br><br>In part 2 of this article, I will discuss about rigging the whole NAS, cost breakdown and the NAS LCD monitor casing for final touch-up of the NAS unit. <br> <hr> VVC-elearning.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11776284423007634254noreply@blogger.comSabah, Malaysia5.9788397999999994 116.075319900000071.9375982999999994 110.91174590000007 10.0200813 121.23889390000006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732590509684362695.post-42336920933460177962014-10-15T21:36:00.001+08:002022-03-18T15:48:19.542+08:00Introducing KeyShot<h4>
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SoUuhmVb6e0/VCLZz3gkB6I/AAAAAAAAFOA/F8oYn8_W-G0/s1600-h/936322_10151605520587278_1313879498_n%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="936322_10151605520587278_1313879498_n" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9eujYwCQBEA/VCLZ1E8-yKI/AAAAAAAAFOI/824VOJznwOQ/936322_10151605520587278_1313879498_n_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="188" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="936322_10151605520587278_1313879498_n" width="304" /></a></h4>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hsVTQfmnsEQ/VCLZ2vzA1fI/AAAAAAAAFOQ/vwFt--02a_g/s1600-h/945214_10151605500777278_647115774_n%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="945214_10151605500777278_647115774_n" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cbpYik_-dwQ/VCLZ4Bt6ivI/AAAAAAAAFOY/QRtKd9-Ek9w/945214_10151605500777278_647115774_n_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="188" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="945214_10151605500777278_647115774_n" width="235" /></a></h4>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L2tqRcZuplI/VCLZ5_-ljKI/AAAAAAAAFOg/N9IrE5jNplM/s1600-h/292013_10151605500592278_1645443623_n%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="292013_10151605500592278_1645443623_n" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-INesc-nmI5M/VCLZ6waPF6I/AAAAAAAAFOo/DjPnWMkshYc/292013_10151605500592278_1645443623_n_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="188" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="292013_10151605500592278_1645443623_n" width="235" /></a></h4>
<span style="color: #a5a5a5; font-size: xx-small;">Rendered in KeyShot 4. 3D model obtained from </span><a href="http://grabcad.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #a5a5a5; font-size: xx-small;">GrabCAD</span></a><br />
<h4>
SUMMARY</h4>
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This article discuss about KeyShot which is a standalone 3D rendering and animation application developed for instructional designers and engineers. Using existing CAD models you can create photo-realistic 3D scene in minutes. The wonderful part about this application is, you don’t have to be a rendering expert to create awesome images of your 3D models. Just click and drag the ready-made materials to the model and the environment settings is equally awesome too. The price is reasonable for the standalone application and capable of network rendering with different license add-on. For more about network rendering you can refer to my previous articles <a href="http://vicvoon.blogspot.com/2014/09/Distributed-Network-Rendering-Sketchup-and-Vray.html#more" target="_blank">here</a>. In this article we will discuss:<br />
<ul>
<li>Rendering speed in KeyShot </li>
<li>Network rendering and price </li>
<li>Sketchup and KeyShot </li>
<li>Areas of application </li>
<li>Conclusion </li>
</ul>
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<a name='more'></a></h4>
<h4>
INTRODUCTION</h4>
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<a href="https://www.keyshot.com/" target="_blank"><img align="left" alt="keyshoticon" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cCZ8VAlqnDk/VCAV_YA3zjI/AAAAAAAAFHo/3rubhH3mx40/keyshoticon%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="100" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px;" title="keyshoticon" width="100" />KeyShot</a> is the brainchild of <a href="http://www.luxion.com/" target="_blank">Luxion</a> specializes in computer rendering and computer based lighting simulations. The co-founder <a href="http://graphics.ucsd.edu/~henrik/" target="_blank">Prof. Hendrik Wann Jensen</a> is a Danish computer graphics researcher best known for developing the photon mapping techniques in his PhD thesis and his research in simulating <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subsurface_scattering" target="_blank">subsurface scattering</a> and the sky. There is a book written by Hendirk Wann Jensen titled <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1568811470/o/qid=992896893/sr=2-1/ref=aps_sr_b_1_1/107-1767647-8361347" target="_blank" title="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1568811470/o/qid=992896893/sr=2-1/ref=aps_sr_b_1_1/107-1767647-8361347">Realistic Image Synthesis Using Photon Mapping</a>. Subsurface scattering is extremely important concept and rendering technique in computer 3D rendering. Spend sometime to read about this topic.<br />
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The way KeyShot harness the computing power is by using the CPU (Central Processing Unit) to the fullest. In another word it is a 100% CPU based rendering, animation and real-time rendering application. Unlike other applications such as Vray, <a href="http://twilightrender.com/" target="_blank">Twilight Render</a> and so on is moving towards the GPU using both <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CUDA" target="_blank">CUDA</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenCL" target="_blank">OpenCL</a> technologies (Video Card) to render 3D models. <br />
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KeyShot is capable of using network rendering to render one scene at a time just like in Vray, but this application has a 64bit version that can utilize more RAMs in the computer system.<br />
<h4>
3D SCENE SETUP & RENDERING SPEED</h4>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-68qzMEL1KdE/VCEP0gr0RII/AAAAAAAAFJM/CSM5T19uBQs/s1600-h/KeyShotmat%25255B6%25255D.png"><img align="left" alt="KeyShotmat" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7Bf1eHEQNK4/VCAWDNOgQ0I/AAAAAAAAFJU/uUcSXFZgZgc/KeyShotmat_thumb%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" height="429" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="KeyShotmat" width="204" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FDvoO4PHwDE/VCAWFgrTAFI/AAAAAAAAFIg/S96GhNkGu5U/s1600-h/KeyShotmatCloud%25255B12%25255D.png"><img align="left" alt="KeyShotmatCloud" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OqXcitjANvc/VCAWHU3qegI/AAAAAAAAFIo/Q9p96S4_IA8/KeyShotmatCloud_thumb%25255B10%25255D.png?imgmax=800" height="214" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="KeyShotmatCloud" width="204" /></a>KeyShot packed with tons of Shaders or Materials. This is one of the factors that influencing our speed in 3D scene setup. The environment that uses <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDRi_(data_format)" target="_blank">HDRI data formats</a> never being so easy to create and the application has more than enough for most 3D scene conditions. KeyShot also has a new feature that link directly to the cloud community called <a href="https://www.keyshot.com/whats-new/" target="_blank">KeyShot Cloud</a> where loaded with environments, shaders, and materials that only accessible from inside the application.<br />
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The speed is subjected to the complexity of the scene, the material settings and CPU. Indeed if we compare to other rendering engines out there, KeyShot is really one of the fastest that I have ever used and there is no doubt about it. The real-time rendering feature really amaze me. Fast feedback on lights and environment conditions as well as materials updates is almost instance as we move and rotate our scene. You able to achieve fast result with this feature without going through the rendering process that you normally would. <br />
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I use KeyShot on my imac mini (Mac OSX) occasionally and I have no complains on the real-time rendering speed. However, when I use on my PC workstation that equips with the Nvidia GTX 780 TI there was not much difference but improved on the final rendering. The reason behind this is my PC workstation has a higher Ghz CPU. So if you decide to use KeyShot, you don’t need to have an expensive Video Card but you do need to allocate your budget to the CPU instead. I did noticed that using KeyShot on the OSX even with lower CPU speed the real-time rendering is significant faster and for this reason it is not necessary to have the best hardware to operate KeyShot.<br />
<h4>
NETWORK RENDERING</h4>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VNU_gk-fXfw/VCK_IUWYrII/AAAAAAAAFLs/VimGD8S0Kzk/s1600-h/KeyShot%252520Network%252520Configurator%25255B9%25255D.png"><img align="left" alt="KeyShot Network Configurator" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zPKFSTAUSjs/VCK_Jr96ciI/AAAAAAAAFL0/ttuLWq3xeFk/KeyShot%252520Network%252520Configurator_thumb%25255B7%25255D.png?imgmax=800" height="192" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="KeyShot Network Configurator" width="244" /></a>The Network Rendering feature really amazing in terms of its management and installation. You do not need a dedicated server for this, that similar to Vray DR <a href="http://vicvoon.blogspot.com/2014/09/Distributed-Network-Rendering-Sketchup-and-Vray.html" target="_blank">(Distributed Network Rendering in Vray)</a>. Both the Master and slave can be installed on the same machine but you can only have one master in a network and that machine holds the Network license e.g. 32 cores and 256 cores accept license which is different in price based on the number of cores you purchase. If you have dedicated rendernodes or slaves you do not require to install KeyShot application on each of the slave machines. All you need is, the KeyShot Network render configuration application which you should decide as slave or master during the installation. It is a tiny little application. <br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FiZ-9ZDrJ-A/VCK7I_MZasI/AAAAAAAAFL8/1WktVA2vz3M/s1600-h/KeyShot%252520Queue%25255B11%25255D.png"><img align="left" alt="KeyShot Queue" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Q4q5FCLiSVE/VCK7JnMdmSI/AAAAAAAAFME/chsum_c0m6E/KeyShot%252520Queue_thumb%25255B9%25255D.png?imgmax=800" height="165" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="KeyShot Queue" width="244" /></a>If you have a network configuration of 10 units of workstations and would like to use all these machines as rendering slaves you can do so. Everyone can send their jobs to the queue and you can check the status of the jobs sent by the master using a preview of the scene in the Queue window. The nice part about this is, you can view the progress of the job on any of the machines connected. To know more about the prices and policy please click <a href="https://checkout.bluesnap.com/buynow/checkout?storeId=197522&sku.3162416" target="_blank">here.</a> The Network license is renewable and only valid for 1 year from the date of purchase regardless the number of cores. The lowest cores offer at the moment is 32 cores (4 units of Intel i7 computer) which is about RM 1,600 to RM 1,800.00 per annum exclude KeyShot application.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kDPjvdGmstQ/VCK7KTIRkaI/AAAAAAAAFKo/Lg7MctXtcac/s1600-h/KeyShot%252520Slave%252520tray%25255B8%25255D.png"><img align="left" alt="KeyShot Slave tray" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bWJpgt0gPkM/VCK7LPNJ2rI/AAAAAAAAFKw/-8TQ_lOm8wE/KeyShot%252520Slave%252520tray_thumb%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" height="165" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="KeyShot Slave tray" width="202" /></a>Another lovely feature I like about KeyShot Network Rendering is, the program allows you to adjust or utilize the numbers of committed cores on the slave should you need to do so. If you assign all the cores on the slave machine or the rendernode for rendering, then you can’t really use that machine for other task such as browsing the net or continue with your works. In my case I just assign 7 cores for the rendering and 1 core for misc.<br />
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<h4>
INTERGRATION & WORKFLOW</h4>
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As good as it gets, KeyShot is a fantastic Rendering and Animation application. However, you can’t create any 3D meshes with it. You need to create your 3D models in your favorite 3D applications and export to KeyShot for your awesome presentation if you require photo realism. KeyShot supports many popular formats that you can import from. Most importantly it doesn’t just import the models but link to them as well. Which means KeyShot plugin links to the 3D modeling software where the plugin acts like a bridge between the 2 applications. Luxion called this <a href="https://www.keyshot.com/downloads/plugins/" target="_blank">Livelinking</a>. At this moment not all the 3D formats have Livelinking feature but I believe in the future Luxion will support this. <br />
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<a href="https://www.keyshot.com/downloads/plugins/" target="_blank"><img align="left" alt="keyShotpluginforSKU" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EvNTtQuzXIs/VCCHhZ9RnbI/AAAAAAAAFMQ/pcGgFh8ugio/keyShotpluginforSKU%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" height="61" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="keyShotpluginforSKU" width="44" /></a>Unfortunately, Livelinking is not available yet for Sketchup and 3Ds Max. But this doesn’t mean you can not import your model. In fact there is a <a href="https://www.keyshot.com/downloads/plugins/" target="_blank">free plugin for Sketchup</a> that export the scene to KeyShot. There are some textures mapping issues where require you to remap in KeyShot like spherical mapping for example. But because of KeyShot intuitive interface and the drag and drop feature makes it so easy to assign and to adjust inside KeyShot caused the workflow less painful. Other issue occurred, if you need to change or modify the 3D geometries, it will not get updated and that caused a bit troublesome. Below is the an example of Sketchup to KeyShot mapping issue:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tl50I4fs5BI/VCLC1ucFYEI/AAAAAAAAFMY/tJNNxJfOmuI/s1600-h/Multishaper_mapping_sketchup%25255B22%25255D.png"><img align="left" alt="Multishaper_mapping_sketchup" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ioe8oiE_K7w/VCLC3AIYHPI/AAAAAAAAFMg/xWjXUnp4laI/Multishaper_mapping_sketchup_thumb%25255B20%25255D.png?imgmax=800" height="139" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Multishaper_mapping_sketchup" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MVVwouG_EzY/VCLC8PY_mEI/AAAAAAAAFNA/ro5OIrDQsfI/s1600-h/Multishaper_mapping_KeyShot%25255B10%25255D.png"><img align="left" alt="Multishaper_mapping_KeyShot" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mKF0WDO1EPc/VCLC9pdSLmI/AAAAAAAAFNI/ARw_SfxNCTg/Multishaper_mapping_KeyShot_thumb%25255B8%25255D.png?imgmax=800" height="139" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Multishaper_mapping_KeyShot" width="244" /></a><br />
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<u><span style="color: #ffc000;">Note:</span></u><br />
<span style="color: #ffc000;">Most of the materials and textures will retain once you transferred from Sketchup to KeyShot. For those textures require special mapping techniques in sketchup likelihood will not be translated properly e.g the cylindrical vase in the screenshots. All you need to do is to remap it in KeyShot or you can remap the texture with a different techniques in Sketchup should solve the problem. No big deal.</span><br />
<h4>
WHO AND WHY SHOULD USE KEYSHOT</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
In my opinion, professionals in the field of Electronic, Mechanical, IT engineers and educators should make full use of KeyShot. You usually do not want to waste time just to study complicated application and spend half of your time or few days to work on the rendering and animation process. You should think of something that is easy to use and easy to learn because your job is to get your ideas and concept out to the investors or perhaps to your board of directors. Spend more time on the design rather than figuring out how to use the application.<br />
<br />
The most important matter is to get your ideas correctly interpreted by defining the materials and colors for the manufacturer to follow (for argument sack your manufacturer is in China) of how you would like the final result to look like. The following example is how I would like my design to be presented. Apart from the dimensions and the technical drawing I have prepared, I included the factory color codes, materials codes, the surface and parts that the color and materials should be applied to before signing off. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UCnO95VWkbU/VCPViA6FzFI/AAAAAAAAFO4/soVDUuhaubw/s1600-h/10300238_678648388880478_6406297776170249702_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="10300238_678648388880478_6406297776170249702_n" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OQrsJyQzZFY/VCK3e-PmTyI/AAAAAAAAFPA/jy52YV3Kda0/10300238_678648388880478_6406297776170249702_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="177" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="10300238_678648388880478_6406297776170249702_n" width="248" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8nBwopUh5ME/VCK3ic0m1WI/AAAAAAAAFLY/PUu2MjnsQeM/s1600-h/10920_678648445547139_4331279844843934242_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="10920_678648445547139_4331279844843934242_n" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-agJtHkbtc3M/VCK3jeH7SDI/AAAAAAAAFLg/CBWn4DgPWQU/10920_678648445547139_4331279844843934242_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="177" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="10920_678648445547139_4331279844843934242_n" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PmM4lLtsi5Y/VCK3gCmD7wI/AAAAAAAAFLI/WKl-82BoLaA/s1600-h/10557340_678648448880472_8032590478578638479_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="10557340_678648448880472_8032590478578638479_n" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-p_OnQO8Epl8/VCK3g5poBJI/AAAAAAAAFLQ/nYZhIlrTFOU/10557340_678648448880472_8032590478578638479_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="177" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="10557340_678648448880472_8032590478578638479_n" width="244" /></a><br />
<iframe frameborder="1" height="258" marginheight="px" marginwidth="0" name="KeyShotVR" scrolling="no" src="http://mydemystify.com/vicvoonblogmat/DragonheadandtailKS_VR.35.html" style="border: 1px dotted rgb(43, 34, 0);" width="400"></iframe><br />
<br />
You can also turn your static images to an interactive snapshots like the photo above via the web browser using the KeyShotVR rendering method. With this, your client or manufacturer can understand better of you design. They can view, rotate around the 3D object interactively with the mouse or any touch enable devices like the tablet or smart phone.<br />
<br />
Furniture and cabinet makers might find KeyShot useful if your requirement only need to render a set of cabinets in studio environment and add some video animations to demonstrate the functionality of the product in your showroom.<br />
<br />
All predefined materials in KeyShot are industrial-standards that accurately represented. You can customize these presets by adjusting the colors and the percentage of the attributes what they are made of. With some creativity, you can use KeyShot as a fast and accurate ways to get your presentation done like a Pro. <br />
<h4>
CONCLUSION</h4>
KeyShot is fast and has a reasonable price tag in general that works on Windows as well as on the Mac OSX. The application supports many popular plugins in the CAD/CAM domain and has great flexibility for expansion. Do not expect KeyShot works like Blender 3D or 3Ds Max . This application was design to addressed the lack of photo realism tools or solutions in the engineering stream rather than to CG artist markets. KeyShot was made to be simple to use and to deliver fast result where the philosophy is to get your job done rather than spending time on how to use the application. <br />
<br />
There are many CAD/CAM applications out there have the same capabilities to deliver high quality rendered images and animation but they come with a price. Most of them are very complicated and not easy to learn.<br />
<br />
Technical animation is different than those in the commercial or movies. You do not require dramatic effects or special effects to elaborate your presentation unless if you need pyrotechnics effects like demonstrating an explosion inside a combustion chamber of an engine or how liquid flows in a tube then properly you will need a video composite application like Adobe After effects or Apple Motion to get the job done.<br />
<br />
Engineering presentation is not about delivering just animation and rendering but getting an accurate information across the workflow or departments from design to manufacturing as part of the construction documents. It is also to demonstrate of how your design should work like an instructional or educational tools. To create all this require some expertise and time to learn all those complicated 3D applications in the market. But since KeyShot is extremely intuitive, perhaps this is the solution to your problem. So download the <a href="https://www.keyshot.com/try/" target="_blank">KeyShot demo</a> today and give it try. I am sure you going to love it and good luck.VVC-elearning.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11776284423007634254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732590509684362695.post-34345687708159408142014-09-30T12:08:00.000+08:002015-08-17T06:47:12.839+08:00Introduction to Distributed Network Rendering - student's note: Part 2<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J5swR0dFN50/VA9IGRZ9ogI/AAAAAAAABXA/7YjQAdLA6c4/s1600-h/936035_10152026124602278_2027417244_n%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img alt="936035_10152026124602278_2027417244_n" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l2VSTjhWbVM/VA9IHURl4CI/AAAAAAAABXI/T1Si9-Xovvw/936035_10152026124602278_2027417244_n_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" title="936035_10152026124602278_2027417244_n" width="320" /></a><br />
rev: 1.5 updated: 10/09/2014 <br />
<br />
<h4>
SUMMARY</h4>
<ul>
<li>This article is the continuation of <a href="http://vicvoon.blogspot.com/2014/09/Distributed-Network-Rendering-Sketchup-and-Vray.html">Introduction to Distributed Network Rendering part 1</a> (DNR). </li>
<li>This article discuss about the software and hardware related to DNR or VrayDR in general. </li>
<li>The DNR scope demonstrated in this article is limited to 2 to 3 units but able to expand to maximum of 10 units of computer based on the network license policy implemented by the software creator. A reasonable scale for SOHO and small studio environment. </li>
<li>This article specifically refers to Vray for Sketchup application rendering scheme under Windows environment. </li>
<li>The arrangement of this article is as follows: Introduction to the application and rendering engines, discuss about the network policy, the setup and systems, functions of each system, cost breakdown, photos, some advise and opinions.</li>
</ul>
<h4>
<a name='more'></a></h4>
1.0 SOFTWARE: 3D APPLICATION AND RENDERING ENGINES
Before we decide to apply DNR to our production pipeline, it is advisable to review with the existing software if such feature available. In this case study, Vray for Sketchup PC or Mac already packed with DNR capabilities since version 1.5. I have been teaching Vray for Sketchup since 1.5 few years back and didn’t really talk about it during the class. Surprisingly, no one asked me about this topic neither and until now nobody has raise this question as well. I guess most of us still struggle with lighting up a scene or perhaps most of us don’t even realize such feature exist.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, here we are going to discuss about this topic at length in this article. For those (students) that interested in implementing DNR, can use this articles as guides, decision making, budgeting and avoid unnecessary cost or even alter the setup. Besides than the direct cost involved, there are some indirect cost that may incurred should you need to improve the integrity of the setup as a whole.<br />
What I exhibited or tabled in the section concerning computer components, hardware configurations, brands, price tags and so on is only an example. It is a guideline and logical steps in the decision that based on what required for the scope and budget I have in mind. A simple setup that you can however customize to your needs by sourcing less expensive components should you choose to do so.<br />
<br />
<h4>
1.1 Software specification and site DNR licensing policy</h4>
This section we will discuss 3 rendering engines: <br />
<ul>
<li>Vray for Sketchup </li>
<li>Blender 3D </li>
<li>Maxwell render for Sketchup </li>
</ul>
<h3>
a) Vray For Sketchup</h3>
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xfn7o9evtqk/VA8KKFakFmI/AAAAAAAABhs/mSIOs7DkoDE/s1600-h/vray%252520icon%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="vray icon" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1udqk3EY5R4/VA8KK5MbuZI/AAAAAAAABh0/Uxil260Ipaw/vray%252520icon_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="66" title="vray icon" width="66" /></a>My opinion is that <a href="http://www.chaosgroup.com/en/2/index.html">ChoasGroup</a> the creator of <a href="http://www.chaosgroup.com/en/2/vrayforsketchup.html">Vray for Sketchup</a> has a good DNR licensing scheme in a way the company allows 10 machines to be linkup for DNR. 10 units of servers for 1 single user license. (The terms used for serving and distributing feature is vary from one application to another). Host means the machine or workstation that you dispatch or send your job to others (servers) for rendering and server means the rendering nodes or nodes on any platforms that perform the job received or assigned by the host. Whatever they imply to is not important as long as we know the total of 10 units in the distribution rendering group is good to go. It is unclear at this time if we purchase 2 license of Vray for Sketchup will increase the DNR licensing to 20 nodes rendering or just limited to 10 for each license making it 2 group of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Render_farm">rendering farm</a>. If you are curious about it you can write to them (the US Chaosgroup not local vendors or dealers). Chaosgroup have fantastic sales team and supports. Do not be mistaken that DNR license is different than the software license you purchased (please read below).<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
Chaos Group products are licensed per machine. With one V-Ray for SketchUp license you can run V-Ray GUI and the V-Ray toolset within SketchUp. In addition to rendering on your main machine, you can also use distributed rendering on up to 10 render slaves. <a href="http://www.chaosgroup.com/en/2/vrayforsketchup.html">(quote from ChoasGroup mentioned in their pricing and upgrade policy)</a></blockquote>
<br />
Other than just a plugin for Sketchup, Vray also available for 3Ds Max, Maya, Modo and even Blender3D now. They have a standalone application version as well. The price is reasonable for commercial version and education edition that has the same functionalities but only for education bodies. You can check with the Malaysian local dealers. For those that curious what they have in their product lines click <a href="http://www.chaosgroup.com/en/2/index.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<h3>
b) Blender 3D</h3>
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1i0Y0KY8JCw/VA8KL6kFkSI/AAAAAAAABh8/K5FyIvtVoK0/s1600-h/blender%252520icon%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="blender icon" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vdwwJSIk1lk/VA8KNWLvu1I/AAAAAAAABiE/0JdPeik4_Zg/blender%252520icon_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="66" title="blender icon" width="66" /></a>In the case of <a href="http://www.blender.org/">Blender3D</a> the terms they use is Client, Slave, and Master. Where in comparison to Client and Master = host in Vray for Sketchup and client = server in Vray for Sketchup. At this moment the <a href="http://www.blender.org/">Blender.org</a> did not mentioned the limitation of nodes or slave that you can connect for the NetRender. Blender3D is an <a href="http://www.blender.org/about/license/">Open Source</a> application which means it is free for personal and commercial use. I hope to discuss more on this software in the near future. This is not a plug-in for Sketchup. You can compare Blender3D to <a href="http://www.autodesk.com/products/3ds-max/overview">3Ds MAX</a> , <a href="http://www.thefoundry.co.uk/products/modo/">MODO</a>, <a href="http://www.maxon.net/products/cinema-4d-prime/who-should-use-it.html">Cinema 4D</a>, <a href="https://www.lightwave3d.com/">Lightwave</a> or even <a href="http://www.autodesk.com/products/maya/overview">MAYA</a> in terms of features and functionalities. It is a standalone 3D application that require less computing power for its modeling and reasonable speed for lightweight rendering scenes. Basically you can just install on your notebook even on surface pro 2 to create your models on the move. Blender 3D runs on Windows, Mac OSX and Linux. This is quite a complex 3D application but doesn't mean it is difficult to learn.<br />
About Blender Network Rendering <a href="http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Doc:2.6/Manual/Render/Performance/Netrender">(NetRender)</a><br />
<br />
<h3>
c) Maxwell render for Sketchup</h3>
<img align="left" alt="maxwellrender" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9f7P-UWdXss/VA8KPASS9fI/AAAAAAAABiM/ZZ9c9uhOVG4/maxwellrender%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" height="66" title="maxwellrender" width="66" /><a href="http://www.maxwellrender.com/">Maxwell render</a> is other amazing rendering engine and quite easy to use. It is available as a Sketchup plugin and operates with in Sketchup workspace. The functions are very comprehensive in their standalone application called <a href="http://www.maxwellrender.com/products/maxwell_render_suite">Maxwell Render Suite</a> but the <a href="http://www.maxwellrender.com/products/maxwell_for_sketchup">plugin</a> version for sketchup is not so. The superiority of the rendering engine and the end result is wonderful (comparable to Vray) however the policy of the network rendering is very expensive and is not so suitable for SOHO. This is only my opinion. However, The single license is very affordable and has a very attractive price tag for the learning edition. If you are curious about the pricing check out this <a href="http://www.maxwellrender.com/pricing">link</a> (refers to their products and network pricing and policy).<br />
<br />
There are tons of other rendering engines out there where it is beyond the scope of this article. Suffice to say that these are the plugins and application that you should consider for your small scale rendering farm if you want to give it a try or move to the next level.<br />
<br />
<h4>
2.0 MODELING SOFTWARE</h4>
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uIrXMwJFRFI/VA95rM70OaI/AAAAAAAABiU/zG5V2whKLLk/s1600-h/Sketchup%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Sketchup" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pQq0AJGrv1U/VA95r_y6A8I/AAAAAAAABic/DvnsJFw85o0/Sketchup_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="66" style="margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px;" title="Sketchup" width="66" /></a>As mentioned earlier the main software discuss in this article is Sketchup for the modeling and Vray as the rendering engine (plugin). Sketchup is superior for its lightweight and trust worthy CAD modeling feature, by itself and extensible through add-on with some other plugins (free and commercial). CAD or Computer Aided Design application is different than 3D applications for computer artists. The way you create 3D objects in Sketchup is very fluid in terms of dimensioning and modifying geometries. <a href="http://sketchup.wikia.com/wiki/History_of_SketchUp">The PUSH/PULL Technology (U.S. Patent 6,628,279)</a> is perfect for creating architecture models or geometries in the form of blocks. To create organic forms and sculpturing such as landscapes you will need to have plugins to improve the workflow. We can sit down and discuss the Pros and Cons of sketchup with other 3D applications for graphics or CAD alike, but let us be blunt, there is no one single solution can satisfy everyone or their needs. Because it is free (<a href="http://www.sketchup.com/products/sketchup-make">Sketchup Make</a>) and allow us to create something without adding extra cost to our investment that makes the application worthwhile to think about.<br />
<br />
Sketchup has some rendering capabilities but not as close as those of rendering found in 3Ds Max, Maya or Blender3D. So this is where other photorealistic rendering engine comes in to fill in the blank. Until now Sketchup is still using 32bit architecture and to my understanding from some expert such as (<a href="http://www.thomthom.net/">http://www.thomthom.net/</a>) a brilliant coder and creator of many useful plugins for sketchup stating that, any plugins work within Sketchup are limited to the 32bit architecture of Sketchup. I read this in one for the forums where there was one topic discussed about this. There is no 64bit Vray for Sketchup so far but who knows one day<a href="http://www.trimble.com/">Trimble</a> might decide to move Sketchup to 64bit architecture. Accept for Vray Distributed Network Rendering spawner comes in 32 and 64 bit as mentioned in <a href="http://vicvoon.blogspot.com/2014/09/Distributed-Network-Rendering-Sketchup-and-Vray.html">part 1</a>.<br />
<br />
So at a glance, this pretty much summed up the 3D modeling and Distributed Network Rendering application in general. We have made our choices and fix to this solution for now and move on with the hardware.<br />
<br />
<h4>
3.0 HARDWARE SPECIFICATIONS</h4>
What we about to commit or budget for the hardware setup depends on the goal, functions and size of our business. For example in my case I like to conduct research and develop courses from multi-disciplinary approach would require some serious computing power. A workstation (that used to cost about 20K 10 years ago e.g SGI ), few units of rendering nodes, simple NAS and some networking stuffs.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<strong>GOAL</strong><br />
In general I would like this setup to be able to use Distributed Network Rendering or alike, research on the capabilities and development on other products, faster result on setting presets libraries for course works and able to use these machines for training when they are not in use for rendering job.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
3.1 The workstation</h4>
<strong>INTRODUCTION:</strong> The term <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workstation">workstation</a> has been loosely used nowadays. In fact, between the 80s, 90s and now a 3D computer gaming machine used by a 15 years old kid is as powerful as those workstations back then used by scientists or perhaps even more powerful. So it is quite blurry now to mention the term. Nevertheless we would want this unit to be more equipped than the rest. More Memory, Better Motherboard, fast CPU, faster video card, high wattage power supply and so on. This is the computer that we going to work with most of the time and definitely we need to spend a little bit more.<br />
<br />
Usually I would prefer to work on a machine or tool(s) that I feel comfortable with. So these are the components and configuration I need and fits in nicely to my budget.<br />
<br />
<strong>EFFICIENCY: </strong>Able to handle complex scene with reasonable speed and able to handle mid-size project efficiently. (This is debatable, and would require some personal working experience to justify the definition). Properly the best way to benchmark the computer configuration you currently have against a higher specifications computer. Sometimes even with the same configuration but with different class of RAM, Video card and Hard disk specifications would make lots of difference. You need to experience it yourself before going further.<br />
<br />
<strong>FUNCTIONS: </strong>The main function of this unit is able to work with 3D modeling, rendering and video compositing. (Video editing and composition is entirely 2 different area of expertise). A good example of video compositing is like adding special effects to a scene like explosion, smoke, or the famous Jedi Light Saber sword in Starwars etc. Usually the clips only consist of few seconds to few minutes sequences. You need a different set of skills and talent for this.<br />
<br />
<strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> This RIG is for production not for gaming. Preferably don’t use any OC-ready components unless you couldn’t get the spec or model you need.<br />
<br />
<strong>SCALABILITY:</strong> The setup must be able to meet the growing amount of workload in a capable manner or able to enlarged to accommodate the growth. This applies to the Rendering network capability and licensing policy we choose.<br />
<br />
<strong>COST:</strong> Middle range category and moderate and with in your capability.<br />
<br />
<strong>OTHER CONSIDERATIONS (INDIRECT COST):</strong> Factors that directly or indirectly influence the performance, stability or the lifespan of the equipment.<br />
<ul>
<li>Stability of electrical power source and grounding that used for the equipment. </li>
<li>Power stabilizer. </li>
<li>If possible install a noise filter or noise reduction unit. (very expensive item) </li>
<li>Lighting arrestor (the good ones are expensive) </li>
</ul>
<br />
<strong>Schedule 1: Workstation Cost Breakdown</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong> <br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 582px;"> <tbody>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="169"><div align="center">
<strong>Component</strong></div>
</td> <td valign="top" width="312"><div align="center">
<strong>Brand and Specification</strong></div>
</td> <td valign="top" width="99"><div align="right">
<strong>Price</strong></div>
</td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="169"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1. The CPU</span></td> <td valign="top" width="312"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Intel i7 3.5Mhz socket 1150 (4th G)</span></td> <td valign="top" width="99"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 990.00</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="169"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2. Motherboard</span></td> <td valign="top" width="312"><a href="http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4481#ov"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">GIGABYTE Z87X-UD3H</span></a></td> <td valign="top" width="99"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 870.00</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="169"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3. Computer Memory</span></td> <td valign="top" width="312"><a href="http://www.corsair.com/en/vengeance-8gb-quad-channel-ddr3-memory-kit-cmz8gx3m4x1600c9"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Corsair Vengeance DDR3 8GB X4 total 32GB</span></a></td> <td valign="top" width="99"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 1200.00</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="169"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">4. Hard disk</span></td> <td valign="top" width="312"><a href="http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=770"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Western Digital 500 GB WD Blue (Mechanical)</span></a></td> <td valign="top" width="99"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 198.00</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="169"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">5. Power Supply (PSU)</span></td> <td valign="top" width="312"><a href="http://apac.coolermaster.com/en/product/Detail/powersupply/ultra-silent-pro-hybrid/silent-pro-hybrid-850w.html"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Cooler Master Silent Pro Hybrid 850W</span></a></td> <td valign="top" width="99"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 800.00</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="169"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">6. Good Keyboard</span></td> <td valign="top" width="312"><a href="http://www.razerzone.com/ap-en/store/razer-blackwidow-ultimate"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Razer Black Widow Ultimate 2013</span></a></td> <td valign="top" width="99"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 449.00</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="169"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">7. Good Mouse</span></td> <td valign="top" width="312"><a href="http://www.razerzone.com/ap-en/store/razer-ouroboros"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Razer Ouroboros</span></a></td> <td valign="top" width="99"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 449.00</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="169"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">8. Huge CPU Fan cooler</span></td> <td valign="top" width="312"><a href="http://www.coolermaster.com/cooling/cpu-air-cooler/v8-gts/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Cooler Master V8 GTS</span></a></td> <td valign="top" width="99"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 275.00</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="169"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">9. Simple Computer case</span></td> <td valign="top" width="312"><a href="http://apac.coolermaster.com/en/product/Detail/case/lan-box-haf-series/haf-xb-window.html"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">HAF XB (windowed top panel version)</span></a></td> <td valign="top" width="99"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 250.00</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="169"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">10. Additional case fans</span></td> <td valign="top" width="312"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">ABC brand mixed 140mm,120mm and 80mm</span></td> <td valign="top" width="99"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 150.00</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="169"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">11. Power Stabilizer</span></td> <td valign="top" width="312"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">AVR 1000AV</span></td> <td valign="top" width="99"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 300.00</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="169"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">12. Video Card</span></td> <td valign="top" width="312"><a href="http://www.asus.com/Graphics_Cards/GTX780TI3GD5/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Asus Nvidia GTX 780 ti (reference card)</span></a></td> <td valign="top" width="99"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 2,750.00</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="169"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">13. Computer Monitor</span></td> <td valign="top" width="312"><a href="http://www.dell.com/ed/business/p/dell-s2740l/pd"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Dell S2740L 68.6cm (27") Monitor with LED</span></a></td> <td valign="top" width="99"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 1,100.00</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="169"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="312"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="99"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="169"><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Total amount:</span></strong></td> <td valign="top" width="312"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="99"><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 9,781.00</span></strong></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="169"></td> <td valign="top" width="312"></td> <td valign="top" width="99"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<strong>OPTIONAL (INDIRECT COST)</strong><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 583px;"> <tbody>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="171"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">14. Electrical power supply</span></td> <td valign="top" width="310"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Rewired and placed additional Distribution Box<br />from incoming line direct to computer room</span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM X,XXX.XX</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="171"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">15. Grounding</span></td> <td valign="top" width="310"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Installing new grounding rods (14 ft) in deep which isolate from the main building.</span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM X,XX.XX</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="171"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">16. Computer Power Cables</span></td> <td valign="top" width="310"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Custom OEM Mcintosh high grade cables</span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM XXX.XX</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="171"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">17. Misc</span></td> <td valign="top" width="310"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Others</span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM XXX.XX</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="171"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">18. DVD ROM</span></td> <td valign="top" width="310"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Any brand</span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM XXX.XX</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="171"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">19. Low cost NAS</span></td> <td valign="top" width="310"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network-attached_storage"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Network- attached Storage)</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.dlink.com/us/en/home-solutions/share_us"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">D-link</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 323 4 Terabytes capacity</span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM XXX.XX</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="171"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">20. Noise Filter or</span></td> <td valign="top" width="310"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Noise reduction Unit.</span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM XXXX.XX</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="171"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">21. 1000base Switch</span></td> <td valign="top" width="310"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">TP–Link (no of ports depending on your requirement)</span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM XXX.XX</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="171"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">22. CAT 6 Cables</span></td> <td valign="top" width="310"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Depends on the length and number of units of computer of the rendering farm.</span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM XXX</span>.XX</td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="171"></td> <td valign="top" width="310"></td> <td valign="top" width="100"></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="171"></td> <td valign="top" width="310"></td> <td valign="top" width="100"></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="171"></td> <td valign="top" width="310"></td> <td valign="top" width="100"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong>Note:</strong> <em>the price tag shown was a bit on the high side during the time of purchased (2013), now these items should be cheaper. The electrical power supply and grounding is applicable to building that more than 30 years or more before the local ordinance building by-laws or uniform building bylaws came to effect. If your office block is new, chances are you might have a good wiring and grounding system. I advise you to have your electrician check on this item because the cost of your equipment is almost the same to a 10 year old 2nd hand car or properly to a new one. </em><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong></strong> <strong>Workstation Photos1:</strong><br />
<strong></strong> <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oOO644IcK6g/VA9IJdpKLaI/AAAAAAAABXQ/Kd8unja5pqA/s1600-h/1266175_10151823197137278_372581968_o%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Motherboard" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-au27vdPjZwY/VA9IKaZhc1I/AAAAAAAABXY/78vBY--U7G0/1266175_10151823197137278_372581968_o_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" title="CPU, Motherboard and Ram" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YX7l0pktW-E/VA9IMhChOsI/AAAAAAAABXg/xi9sBqXqVlQ/s1600-h/1276744_10151877462792278_378830989_o%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1276744_10151877462792278_378830989_o" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2IijawK9UMY/VA9INdkZSkI/AAAAAAAABXo/e4bGr3-_TcQ/1276744_10151877462792278_378830989_o_thumb%25255B15%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="239" title="1276744_10151877462792278_378830989_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ufaJPRGXhtk/VA9IPtxbk9I/AAAAAAAABXw/YJ2eLThTTiU/1475788_10152026124252278_426541341_n%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><img 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src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lTRGO6acowM/VA9IrC4lo5I/AAAAAAAABYY/YsYZU9o-L7k/885865_10152057479917278_506191973_o_thumb%25255B17%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" title="885865_10152057479917278_506191973_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-13v18g85Xx0/VA9It72ZVLI/AAAAAAAABYg/wFL-wubj6BY/s1600-h/1485981_10152057479557278_1277581487_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1485981_10152057479557278_1277581487_o" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dnvj3MabNFk/VA9IvOm5suI/AAAAAAAABYo/er3wk1JZKBw/1485981_10152057479557278_1277581487_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" title="1485981_10152057479557278_1277581487_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I9zq0fOatsQ/VA9IwvoZFMI/AAAAAAAABYw/S99RJOaLT0c/s1600-h/1462561_10152057483062278_1646546670_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1462561_10152057483062278_1646546670_o" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yMkcXvJoakc/VA9IxSc9RUI/AAAAAAAABY4/QEj-cgLR75I/1462561_10152057483062278_1646546670_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" title="1462561_10152057483062278_1646546670_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fQ6LZZhcLEs/VA9IzgNpUhI/AAAAAAAABZA/a26pLVA7nWc/s1600-h/1399185_10152026159767278_1818860299_o%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1399185_10152026159767278_1818860299_o" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-poCUhJU_XXk/VA9I08V84LI/AAAAAAAABZI/IfQ_D4KKZ80/1399185_10152026159767278_1818860299_o_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="239" title="1399185_10152026159767278_1818860299_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v_OQMWyYYec/VA9I2AE-OVI/AAAAAAAABZQ/lZTK-mTk9kQ/s1600-h/1276742_10151823197327278_1899631969_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1276742_10151823197327278_1899631969_o" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PlmDCyXr65U/VA9I3JWFuCI/AAAAAAAABZY/Q6K1FIvGQYY/1276742_10151823197327278_1899631969_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" title="1276742_10151823197327278_1899631969_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-r5vXK-Rkb74/VBHxp2_cdRI/AAAAAAAABxg/WrJOhD94S2s/s1600-h/1404423_10152026160207278_1496510802_o%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1404423_10152026160207278_1496510802_o" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7oczeXepDIc/VA9I5zQzpmI/AAAAAAAABxo/59uVUu5scMg/1404423_10152026160207278_1496510802_o_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="239" title="1404423_10152026160207278_1496510802_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ris1YtvB5B4/VA95tENN9CI/AAAAAAAABxw/L7wi0h9VKlc/s1600-h/1274413_10151823197002278_449867224_o%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1274413_10151823197002278_449867224_o" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-84XjWslnhG0/VA95ueXUt1I/AAAAAAAABx4/K8UkxF1DZvA/1274413_10151823197002278_449867224_o_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" title="1274413_10151823197002278_449867224_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LRQU5tVAL0o/VA9I69PYwoI/AAAAAAAABZw/F_SMsahrlzs/s1600-h/901395_10152034969922278_1107878795_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="901395_10152034969922278_1107878795_o" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FirT8_08GMI/VA9I7_8QvWI/AAAAAAAABZ4/YNwV8zZL398/901395_10152034969922278_1107878795_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" title="901395_10152034969922278_1107878795_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fRtGYutmHA4/VA9I9v8mcII/AAAAAAAABaA/oKBCfRjOyXY/s1600-h/936514_10152034789917278_1527263484_n%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="936514_10152034789917278_1527263484_n" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2W0H6viDBgQ/VA9I-o4WpvI/AAAAAAAABaI/zBEkR0nGXUI/936514_10152034789917278_1527263484_n_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" title="936514_10152034789917278_1527263484_n" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-o4x5zp1s7mo/VA9JAGjcy-I/AAAAAAAABaQ/BXJuD8RM0WI/s1600-h/1480636_10152057484047278_297761010_n%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1480636_10152057484047278_297761010_n" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6y9AhSucRL0/VA9JBiLAa-I/AAAAAAAABaY/XB6rW9IYNxY/1480636_10152057484047278_297761010_n_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" title="1480636_10152057484047278_297761010_n" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CHxDGTnJme0/VA9JEo0eBKI/AAAAAAAABag/8Dltagvz21w/s1600-h/858592_10152026164182278_220377413_o%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="858592_10152026164182278_220377413_o" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6z9iguhBD0Q/VA9JGG_0cYI/AAAAAAAABao/j2PAlFW8sPQ/858592_10152026164182278_220377413_o_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="239" title="858592_10152026164182278_220377413_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rgKmDtogHt4/VA9JInPlMkI/AAAAAAAABaw/yfoiL1SY95E/s1600-h/735819_10152026163192278_1894789750_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="735819_10152026163192278_1894789750_o" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FrB70IT6dEI/VA9JJrGlXbI/AAAAAAAABa4/5sOXIcNaj1Q/735819_10152026163192278_1894789750_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="239" title="735819_10152026163192278_1894789750_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TCr_GtNIPn0/VA9JLgNq-LI/AAAAAAAABbA/gMYlVUrCHyI/s1600-h/904435_10152026161092278_1310096722_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="904435_10152026161092278_1310096722_o" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vb0D80HUSg4/VA9JMkERmgI/AAAAAAAABbI/OkCXcFjqIxM/904435_10152026161092278_1310096722_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="239" title="904435_10152026161092278_1310096722_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-poDeuoqngSQ/VA9JOrQhHFI/AAAAAAAABbQ/DQajTueKhh8/s1600-h/1404694_10152026162527278_738158277_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1404694_10152026162527278_738158277_o" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AEJocKDpjqg/VA9JPwcqOLI/AAAAAAAABbY/EvrRwpmJ8CY/1404694_10152026162527278_738158277_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="239" title="1404694_10152026162527278_738158277_o" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<strong>The Power Cord</strong><br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bK9882YNLR0/VA9JSItYurI/AAAAAAAABbg/29gQP3LTtHg/s1600-h/554006_10151906374617278_1033119554_n%25255B24%25255D.jpg"><img alt="554006_10151906374617278_1033119554_n" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bJi-RTS28WA/VA9JTHeeCNI/AAAAAAAABbo/Ezx8X-JQ6W0/554006_10151906374617278_1033119554_n_thumb%25255B22%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" title="554006_10151906374617278_1033119554_n" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XWpqRcF79Ck/VA9JUnFvfcI/AAAAAAAABbw/v0saASNX21s/s1600-h/994616_10151906374727278_1137070343_n%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="994616_10151906374727278_1137070343_n" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--ObuLokF1Zs/VA9JV8mWx2I/AAAAAAAABb4/fMYGIDz_N-w/994616_10151906374727278_1137070343_n_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" title="994616_10151906374727278_1137070343_n" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uDDJnNENEdQ/VA9JYZ_A82I/AAAAAAAABcA/DnXbc2EGhUQ/s1600-h/1378304_10151906390152278_1122044591_n%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1378304_10151906390152278_1122044591_n" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FyDdKDfGqGM/VA9JfMj-3oI/AAAAAAAABcI/9Z0at2BZxIY/1378304_10151906390152278_1122044591_n_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" title="1378304_10151906390152278_1122044591_n" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4Vqg5NxMDSc/VA9Jga3m71I/AAAAAAAABi0/6BqfUSbNkWc/s1600-h/1799993_10152277946462278_415427961_o%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1799993_10152277946462278_415427961_o" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--p0su2MXeSo/VA9JhEXc9fI/AAAAAAAABi8/9IO5GbrhqXM/1799993_10152277946462278_415427961_o_thumb%25255B18%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="239" title="1799993_10152277946462278_415427961_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-L4GraBTcFVg/VA950Mvx2kI/AAAAAAAABjE/UjXbI9C4cE4/s1600-h/1186749_10151906390267278_1419845487_n%252520%2525281%252529%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1186749_10151906390267278_1419845487_n (1)" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pRuGdPm-8Is/VA951IRIsRI/AAAAAAAABjM/Ch8NVhVvBUs/1186749_10151906390267278_1419845487_n%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B18%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" title="1186749_10151906390267278_1419845487_n (1)" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>The video Card</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-soQ4XvhLRvA/VA9Jigox6JI/AAAAAAAABeY/FSzEwu8hlKQ/s1600-h/734048_10152008661992278_1290591513_n%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img alt="734048_10152008661992278_1290591513_n" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8BkwGPSqOkI/VA9JjmsJNFI/AAAAAAAABeg/H9frU3pIkvM/734048_10152008661992278_1290591513_n_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" title="734048_10152008661992278_1290591513_n" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Zk-AlQuEtlg/VA9Jkz9r8VI/AAAAAAAABeo/XYUwmHEC798/s1600-h/942223_10152008661552278_1674113824_n%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="942223_10152008661552278_1674113824_n" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Z2GGm7PnASg/VA9Jl_LotxI/AAAAAAAABew/AasQsmEaz_I/942223_10152008661552278_1674113824_n_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" title="942223_10152008661552278_1674113824_n" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mARtZOqcwbw/VA9Joapi3mI/AAAAAAAABe4/UwgPBfjhLi8/s1600-h/1451429_10152009158547278_139079057_n%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1451429_10152009158547278_139079057_n" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q_WqfqyUaX4/VA9Jp0UkvLI/AAAAAAAABfA/mDNAtyaAqOQ/1451429_10152009158547278_139079057_n_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" title="1451429_10152009158547278_139079057_n" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1F2S1-l_9QM/VA9Jr-x78AI/AAAAAAAABfI/LMDitQ9iCLc/s1600-h/1461184_10152008661367278_404227449_n%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1461184_10152008661367278_404227449_n" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J4CvbCwj3KE/VA9JsqOURwI/AAAAAAAABfQ/Y90NxyanDTc/1461184_10152008661367278_404227449_n_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" title="1461184_10152008661367278_404227449_n" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-A402qXvZUmw/VA9JwNk6BnI/AAAAAAAABfY/e7i4B_fUZOY/s1600-h/1464695_10152009158057278_370935142_n%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1464695_10152009158057278_370935142_n" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-405hqaOP094/VA9Jx1H1-rI/AAAAAAAABfg/Hi1i7wS_RDE/1464695_10152009158057278_370935142_n_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" title="1464695_10152009158057278_370935142_n" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WVxYkyu_A3k/VA9Jy7mWYfI/AAAAAAAABfo/9Bzk2wHIZg4/s1600-h/1471378_10152008661467278_678988717_n%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1471378_10152008661467278_678988717_n" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pPLajU8s3HI/VA9Jz2j02ZI/AAAAAAAABfw/6rT0inY60KU/1471378_10152008661467278_678988717_n_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" title="1471378_10152008661467278_678988717_n" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Uw-w_sGD9qI/VA9J1VdP78I/AAAAAAAABf4/nXx51ywGSLs/s1600-h/1472055_10152008661732278_2081944428_n%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1472055_10152008661732278_2081944428_n" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WT_IJvsvr0U/VA9J2OTGcJI/AAAAAAAABgA/FrQr9FANKSo/1472055_10152008661732278_2081944428_n_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" title="1472055_10152008661732278_2081944428_n" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LRxfbkYAslo/VA9fmwHdGyI/AAAAAAAABgI/IHYJ-oPgFTU/s1600-h/1277250_10151823075577278_483403987_o%252520%2525281%252529%25255B19%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1277250_10151823075577278_483403987_o (1)" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GPlrt4sxfJk/VA9foFelhAI/AAAAAAAABgQ/zRRno8Wa1AA/1277250_10151823075577278_483403987_o%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B17%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" title="1277250_10151823075577278_483403987_o (1)" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-i53TJkI11QA/VA9fpMfCo5I/AAAAAAAABgY/9c7vsYO0V54/s1600-h/1011988_10151705342452278_710931929_n%25255B19%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1011988_10151705342452278_710931929_n" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aAEnd5SxgSA/VA9fp8WY0dI/AAAAAAAABgg/CmgdCdDOnck/1011988_10151705342452278_710931929_n_thumb%25255B17%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" title="1011988_10151705342452278_710931929_n" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<strong>The Monitor and the Power stabliser</strong><br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-c0kmcolQovY/VA9fr_7sKKI/AAAAAAAABgo/zg9VTBbPYtI/s1600-h/1074569_10151705373017278_2010119283_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1074569_10151705373017278_2010119283_o" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lqdoXAoaIrk/VA9fsl7GUrI/AAAAAAAABgw/YP3N-1Gdb8Q/1074569_10151705373017278_2010119283_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="320" title="1074569_10151705373017278_2010119283_o" width="180" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sWF-CzJAtNo/VA9ft8-vg3I/AAAAAAAABg4/CQ1Rh6xd1Pg/s1600-h/1002436_10151705372662278_716857316_n%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1002436_10151705372662278_716857316_n" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PI8a5AdJwXU/VA9fu-dXZvI/AAAAAAAABhA/odAYa23jgAU/1002436_10151705372662278_716857316_n_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="320" title="1002436_10151705372662278_716857316_n" width="180" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-a-knVAFA2VU/VA9fwrXup_I/AAAAAAAABhI/OtVHY_aP8B4/s1600-h/WP_20140910_001%25255B20%25255D.jpg"><img alt="WP_20140910_001" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hJ7W9V6ChNk/VA9fxYpa3oI/AAAAAAAABhQ/vOu86vgK9_w/WP_20140910_001_thumb%25255B22%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="320" title="WP_20140910_001" width="166" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--bx_2V9-2gE/VA9fzWwHyXI/AAAAAAAABhY/HIGWq4tBV0s/s1600-h/1375176_10151910695042278_78383243_n%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1375176_10151910695042278_78383243_n" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DsNNE79x4fg/VA9f0hXKuBI/AAAAAAAABhg/ECIEpDHe9_g/1375176_10151910695042278_78383243_n_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="320" title="1375176_10151910695042278_78383243_n" width="160" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Installation of new distribution box, grounding and other stuffs.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-63zfa8CzMR0/VA952OiU8cI/AAAAAAAABjU/XXtx6v8lvU0/s1600-h/1658615_10152277943767278_1972029190_o%25255B18%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1658615_10152277943767278_1972029190_o" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AR9APmLk9rA/VA9521SB9hI/AAAAAAAABjc/uW7HW9ThErs/1658615_10152277943767278_1972029190_o_thumb%25255B16%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="320" title="1658615_10152277943767278_1972029190_o" width="135" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vj5A-eu4SAE/VA954krgcgI/AAAAAAAABjk/MesMFnE8q_M/s1600-h/1796973_10152277945602278_1028426591_o%25255B18%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1796973_10152277945602278_1028426591_o" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-slfeLUzjbXo/VA955gARynI/AAAAAAAABjs/AUR2tpr1JYk/1796973_10152277945602278_1028426591_o_thumb%25255B16%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="320" title="1796973_10152277945602278_1028426591_o" width="135" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KYXfuPqevps/VA957VnDZ9I/AAAAAAAABj0/Lb-O9YqTHDw/s1600-h/1899815_10152277943932278_1536861873_o%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1899815_10152277943932278_1536861873_o" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9wOujA1BMFY/VA958Dov8wI/AAAAAAAABj8/TThFVj6cgAc/1899815_10152277943932278_1536861873_o_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="320" title="1899815_10152277943932278_1536861873_o" width="135" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jBtrcAMUn-Y/VA95-W8pBLI/AAAAAAAABkE/Q1eNCYkm7mU/s1600-h/1911239_10152277946277278_320181208_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1911239_10152277946277278_320181208_o" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BX0pcCoqe8E/VA95_IKH-AI/AAAAAAAABkM/7QPW7o_KOKU/1911239_10152277946277278_320181208_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="320" title="1911239_10152277946277278_320181208_o" width="135" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O37_A99RHV0/VA96AXiOxEI/AAAAAAAABkU/xSNGzBiMaWc/s1600-h/1973218_10152277944322278_2132918481_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1973218_10152277944322278_2132918481_o" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IZvruxNZOsU/VA96BJReb9I/AAAAAAAABkc/dQD2wfRVfns/1973218_10152277944322278_2132918481_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="320" title="1973218_10152277944322278_2132918481_o" width="135" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-j2ZyXt5Zh-0/VA96Cy8l6pI/AAAAAAAABkk/qIsvrv9oePc/s1600-h/1960847_10152277945647278_1781444334_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1960847_10152277945647278_1781444334_o" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6P_tirQJdVI/VA96DoLFQaI/AAAAAAAABks/hmsRyxj7_-I/1960847_10152277945647278_1781444334_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="320" title="1960847_10152277945647278_1781444334_o" width="135" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R-Aoz6ksASw/VBFqDcSWbHI/AAAAAAAABtU/oxnhlKv9Lnc/s1600-h/1403254_10152277945177278_1219923737_o%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1403254_10152277945177278_1219923737_o" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fNd7nAHdKNU/VA96GRWZOrI/AAAAAAAABtc/2htC0hHxCqU/1403254_10152277945177278_1219923737_o_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="180" title="1403254_10152277945177278_1219923737_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NK9kuduAhXI/VA96HmDu_DI/AAAAAAAABlE/jE8lzqEnA3w/s1600-h/1669752_10152277945917278_245192640_o%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1669752_10152277945917278_245192640_o" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fn_4JQXdoWQ/VA96ISgwJOI/AAAAAAAABlM/CUlOUE13qGQ/1669752_10152277945917278_245192640_o_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="180" title="1669752_10152277945917278_245192640_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3sGKC0eFo78/VA96LYrK5fI/AAAAAAAABlU/v7mCaLZ8eq0/s1600-h/1799987_10152277944187278_335485765_o%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1799987_10152277944187278_335485765_o" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bAgfKmmsM7I/VA96MB13W1I/AAAAAAAABlc/b6OzuWm5a_M/1799987_10152277944187278_335485765_o_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="180" title="1799987_10152277944187278_335485765_o" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<h4>
3.1.2 Choice of Components for the workstation:</h4>
<br />
<strong>Hard Disk and Power Supply (PSU):</strong> Require a workstation that is solid in performance not only the CPU power but the VGA as well that fits the budget. SSD wasn’t included in this unit because is expensive and definitely require more than just 1 or 2 software installed. SSD 120GB is simply just not enough. The power supply is extremely import in this particular rig because of the amount of RAM and most of all the Video Card. Oversupply is better than undersupply. As suggested by many, it only takes 250 watt power to fire up the GTX 780 TI with new architecture chipset. I Agree but that is the baseline what if we add all those components, and run the rendering and animation at full swing? I think we need higher wattage than that. Just a precaution.<br />
<br />
<strong>Input Devices:</strong> Mechanical Keyboard and high resolution mouse included in this unit because it is reliable, accurate and to void stress. So using these high grade input devices specifically designed for gamers should last a little bit longer (we’ll see). <em>This is optional and self preference.</em><br />
<em><br /></em><strong>The computer casing: </strong><a href="http://www.coolermaster.com/">Coolermaster</a> Haf XB is interesting because of the shape, materials, the size and it looks ugly enough to have that uniqueness. It looks like a refrigerator or a wine chiller in fact. They called this the LAN box that can be converter to an benchmark casing (for testing components). Plenty of aeration and easy to work with, should you need to upgrade or put something else inside the case.<br />
<br />
<strong>The Video Card (optional): </strong>This has nothing to do with the DNR and definitely we don’t need this particular model to use for Sketchup modeling. However, the idea was the number of CUDA cores in this particular model that I need and intended to use for something else, a different projects and development. You have the option to choose lower models like GTX 750, GTX 760 and GTX 770 which is much cheaper and can be equally as productive.<br />
<br />
<strong>Computer Power Cable (optional):</strong> OEM <a href="http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/Products/pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=Cables&ProductId=PowerControlCable">McIntosh Power Cable</a> custom made at the length of 1.5M connected from power stabilizer to the workstation and a 3M cable from the electrical power source to the self-made plugs extension were used in this build. This type of cable is a high grade cable and able to reduced noise frequency that occurs in the electricity. It benefits the systems in long run. I have no intention to debate or encourage you to use this, since most of us don’t think it is necessary. However, ask around and do some digging for some information about this.<br />
<br />
<h4>
3.1.3 About Over Clock (OC)</h4>
In my opinion there is no point to use Over Clock (OC) components because we are not performing any stress test on the hardware or pushing the hardware to its limit. Our goal is to build a hardware that suitable for our working requirement and workloads. In fact I don’t encourage you to use any OC components or OC the hardware unless you know what you are doing. These machines are for production and suppose to generate revenues and definitely we are not going to shorten the lifespan. Of cause if you have more money to spend you can instead get higher specifications or upgrade your system later. But from business point of view, you need to take into consideration of your Return on Investment (ROI). To me, it is an investment in knowledge, research and at the same time able to handle reasonable project size should I desire to do so. <br />
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
3.1.4 The Rendernode or node</h4>
Rendernode is just a name I called, it sounds cool. However many refer them as slaves or something else. This unit basically just sit there and do nothing (in my case) until you render your image in your workstation (provided that you have activated the Distribution Network Rendering command). Once the workstation sends the commands to the DNR spawner (which installed in the rendernode) it will start to render the image in your workstation.<br />
The total units require is 2 therefore if 1 unit of computer render using 4 cores as based plus 4 cores in <a href="http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/architecture-and-technology/hyper-threading/hyper-threading-technology.html">Hyper-Threading</a> mode = 8 packets (cores) on a scene than 8 x 3 (computers) = 24 packets rendering capability on a single scene. That in fact is quite fast. The rendering speed is subjective and really depends on the complexity of the scene, the composition and materials like reflectivity, transparency, bumps, displacement, number of lights, image resolutions and so on. The assumption here is based on Intel i7 CPU. If you use different CPU other than this, then you should consult and check your CPU specifications. The baseline is the amount of cores you intend to use for your setup.<br />
<strong></strong> <strong>Schedule 2: Rendernode Cost Breakdown</strong><br />
<strong><br /> <table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 550px;"> <tbody>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="151"><div align="center">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong>Component</strong> </span></div>
</td> <td valign="top" width="299"><div align="center">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong>Brand and Specification</strong> </span></div>
</td> <td valign="top" width="98"><div align="right">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong>Price</strong> </span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="151"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1. The CPU</span></td> <td valign="top" width="299"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Intel i7 3.6Mhz socket 1150k (4th G)</span></td> <td valign="top" width="98"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 1190.00 </span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="151"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2. Motherboard</span></td> <td valign="top" width="299"><a href="http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4481#ov"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">GIGABYTE H87N-WIFI Mini ITX</span></a></td> <td valign="top" width="98"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 450.00 </span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="151"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3. Computer Memory</span></td> <td valign="top" width="299"><a href="http://www.corsair.com/en/vengeance-8gb-quad-channel-ddr3-memory-kit-cmz8gx3m4x1600c9"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Corsair Vengeance DDR3 8GB X2 total 16GB</span></a></td> <td valign="top" width="98"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 600.00 </span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="151"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">4. Hard disk</span></td> <td valign="top" width="299"><a href="http://www.corsair.com/en/force-series-ls-120gb-sata-3-6gb-s-ssd"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Corsair FORCE LS 120GB (SSD)</span></a></td> <td valign="top" width="98"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 330.00 </span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="151"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">5. Power Supply (PSU)</span></td> <td valign="top" width="299"><a href="http://www.corsair.com/en/vs-seriestm-vs450-450-watt-power-supply"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Corsair VS450 450W</span></a></td> <td valign="top" width="98"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 180.00 </span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="151"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">6. Keyboard</span></td> <td valign="top" width="299"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">ABC keyboard</span></td> <td valign="top" width="98"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 25.00 </span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="151"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">7. Mouse</span></td> <td valign="top" width="299"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Logitech wired Mouse</span></td> <td valign="top" width="98"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 35.00 </span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="151"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">8. Simple Computer case</span></td> <td valign="top" width="299"><a href="http://apac.coolermaster.com/en/product/Detail/case/lan-box-haf-series/haf-xb-window.html"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">HAF Stacker 915R</span></a></td> <td valign="top" width="98"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 225.00 </span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="151"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">10. Power Stabilizer</span></td> <td valign="top" width="299"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">BOSS 800AV capacities</span></td> <td valign="top" width="98"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 90.00 </span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="151"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">11. Computer Monitor</span></td> <td valign="top" width="299"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Acer 18” monitor</span></td> <td valign="top" width="98"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 265.00 </span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="151"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="299"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="98"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="151"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Amount per unit:</span></td> <td valign="top" width="299"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="98"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 3,390.00 </span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="151"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="299"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="98"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="151"><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Total Amount:</span></strong></td> <td valign="top" width="299"><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 3,390.00 x 2 units</span></strong></td> <td valign="top" width="98"><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 6,780.00</span></strong> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</strong><br />
<strong>The rendernode setup: </strong><br />
Need the same computing power (CPU) what my workstation has. <br />
<ul>
<li>Need these nodes to be able to load fast. </li>
<li>These nodes are not for production purposes but able to provide sufficient computing power for training on specific courses. </li>
<li>The essentials components should be in reasonable price range. </li>
<li>Able to upgrade like e.g full length video card add on (referring to the motherboard). </li>
<li>Need to be small in size, stackable, easy to relocate, able to have full length size VGA card and plenty of aeration. </li>
</ul>
<ul></ul>
<br />
<strong>Rendernote: The Computer Casing </strong><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zQA6fNBDB0Y/VBFqFNBlNAI/AAAAAAAABtk/qibSSr2n2cg/s1600-h/1658648_10152159633162278_2030146711_o%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1658648_10152159633162278_2030146711_o" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F1H0DJYkS84/VBFqF9lRI5I/AAAAAAAABts/0ltLaUscWTI/1658648_10152159633162278_2030146711_o_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="239" title="1658648_10152159633162278_2030146711_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jHbgC8R624g/VBFqG5GvgPI/AAAAAAAABt0/F5zWr1Zt0yI/s1600-h/741239_10152160125022278_1001722779_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="741239_10152160125022278_1001722779_o" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IrkBVLv6wIw/VBFqHpiuLqI/AAAAAAAABt8/zT-0H5rciCs/741239_10152160125022278_1001722779_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="239" title="741239_10152160125022278_1001722779_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V2b9GFhjjAE/VBFqIn2hclI/AAAAAAAABuE/i81jeFdUtZU/s1600-h/905317_10152160126912278_724042952_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="905317_10152160126912278_724042952_o" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wvduW81oZrE/VBFqJV_sWzI/AAAAAAAABuM/eAYUHeihIAQ/905317_10152160126912278_724042952_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="239" title="905317_10152160126912278_724042952_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VbpiUVovkiQ/VBFqKZdPksI/AAAAAAAABuU/upDPbs_KgUU/s1600-h/1547967_10152160116847278_1328082649_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1547967_10152160116847278_1328082649_o" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0wiYyQmnvvQ/VBFqLFjyf8I/AAAAAAAABuc/-6yNK52yjsA/1547967_10152160116847278_1328082649_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="320" title="1547967_10152160116847278_1328082649_o" width="179" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Rendernote: The PSU (Power Supply Unit) </strong><br />
<strong></strong> <br />
<strong><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jYwr1fugU_s/VBFqMWOC-YI/AAAAAAAABuk/7f5hGmz3m8s/s1600-h/1076953_10152160096787278_338379641_o%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1076953_10152160096787278_338379641_o" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OCR3pp13DK8/VBFqNMIip_I/AAAAAAAABus/9FGYE2cCzR0/1076953_10152160096787278_338379641_o_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="239" title="1076953_10152160096787278_338379641_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T926vQ91l5w/VBFqOTbzB0I/AAAAAAAABu0/fmp8L6KX41U/s1600-h/1097022_10152160099317278_815908162_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1097022_10152160099317278_815908162_o" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-79pMejO8r4I/VBFqPK0kYcI/AAAAAAAABu8/zPg418hELII/1097022_10152160099317278_815908162_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="239" title="1097022_10152160099317278_815908162_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--5fOWxP6hW0/VBFqP42mg9I/AAAAAAAABvE/9eloOS5UWds/s1600-h/1501620_10152160094852278_518238509_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1501620_10152160094852278_518238509_o" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gzbzrUzt_2c/VBFqQqfC0-I/AAAAAAAABvM/zWfUG4YlH4U/1501620_10152160094852278_518238509_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="239" title="1501620_10152160094852278_518238509_o" width="240" /></a></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Rendernote: Other parts </strong><br />
<strong></strong> <br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ox6GRAPPOxg/VBFqRmyMa6I/AAAAAAAABvU/aMxjkrTT33M/s1600-h/1599325_10152215981812278_1665266846_o%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1599325_10152215981812278_1665266846_o" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vGiU88ZIPAc/VBFqSsB01BI/AAAAAAAABvc/Lr3vYZQZ1bc/1599325_10152215981812278_1665266846_o_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="239" title="1599325_10152215981812278_1665266846_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s16lsaxV1S0/VBFqTuIO_FI/AAAAAAAABvk/XKexKA822fA/s1600-h/1606491_10152215981317278_660582003_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1606491_10152215981317278_660582003_o" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-86UBi0s3wMM/VBFqULSFjPI/AAAAAAAABvs/QMQUx1SQg3I/1606491_10152215981317278_660582003_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="239" title="1606491_10152215981317278_660582003_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-V-uP8aCaYD0/VBFqVcpnnNI/AAAAAAAABv0/TKQ3taXbdOM/s1600-h/1655371_10152215979457278_734090320_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1655371_10152215979457278_734090320_o" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RMm9_i5l06o/VBFqWC8iN-I/AAAAAAAABv8/T4kd4LzT0l4/1655371_10152215979457278_734090320_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="239" title="1655371_10152215979457278_734090320_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8KffXuMLicE/VBFqXXPau0I/AAAAAAAABwE/X_GHwAw3-cI/s1600-h/1890526_10152215979707278_1761575090_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1890526_10152215979707278_1761575090_o" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4r2gljp_w_M/VBFqYoZ3ZMI/AAAAAAAABwM/alvPsdwiowc/1890526_10152215979707278_1761575090_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="239" title="1890526_10152215979707278_1761575090_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z7fwNucpYXo/VBFqZvNCFqI/AAAAAAAABwU/WlOiHuZh7UU/s1600-h/1939846_10152215981097278_1458623103_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1939846_10152215981097278_1458623103_o" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TPabm7U7Wk0/VBFqavAwgyI/AAAAAAAABwc/_soI9_-24Iw/1939846_10152215981097278_1458623103_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="239" title="1939846_10152215981097278_1458623103_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LuaD8VLX6ww/VBFqboOS6rI/AAAAAAAABwk/9Cvp4iLV8pk/s1600-h/1965409_10152215979107278_331355512_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1965409_10152215979107278_331355512_o" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vfUXIXRW7-8/VBFqcn39T-I/AAAAAAAABws/K1tIXmkyR_0/1965409_10152215979107278_331355512_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="239" title="1965409_10152215979107278_331355512_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1uN3-9ZLVi8/VBFqdUut-yI/AAAAAAAABw0/8AJCfQ78k9A/s1600-h/1939478_10152218056677278_933538423_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1939478_10152218056677278_933538423_o" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_HVlLWtXDaw/VBFqeEBee6I/AAAAAAAABw8/tba-iyySAQY/1939478_10152218056677278_933538423_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="180" title="1939478_10152218056677278_933538423_o" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xNE72Rd7S-I/VBFqfAmS7xI/AAAAAAAABxE/4eGD-3_ELNM/s1600-h/1606413_10152224271717278_277103849_o%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1606413_10152224271717278_277103849_o" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MMnCDUbSXKk/VBFqf5kUR6I/AAAAAAAABxM/pzD-J4D4Z54/1606413_10152224271717278_277103849_o_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="180" title="1606413_10152224271717278_277103849_o" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Distribution Network Rendering Diagram</strong><br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aVFZFTOiga8/VBatfYEQeyI/AAAAAAAAB94/SEA83H2lleo/s1600-h/DNR%252520network%252520simple%252520diagram%252520-%252520Page%2525201%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DNR network simple diagram - Page 1" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hrV8Xfl40FI/VBatgZukQKI/AAAAAAAAB-A/33fjIHqlTBM/DNR%252520network%252520simple%252520diagram%252520-%252520Page%2525201_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="441" title="DNR network simple diagram - Page 1" width="488" /></a> <br />
<br />
<h4>
3.1.4 Research on your own or consult others</h4>
<br />
<strong>(a) DO</strong><br />
I did the research on certain components and defined the specifications for the type of job I need, from computing power to casing and software requirement. We need to leverage the rendering capabilities, technologies and functions of the software and pair with the hardware setup and configurations. Pairing is important. You can consult experts in the same field. Or you can draw a diagram and the configurations of your setup and send to the company that created the software for opinions and advise. In most cases, you can always seek advise in any forums that related to relevant topics of your interest. There are many experts willing to help you. In the end you still need to define your own goal(s).<br />
<br />
Sad to point out that my knowledge in networking is thin. But some general knowledge in networking do require in this case at least you should know some command tricks like pinging an address and assign some simple ip addresses. As far as we know using cables is more stable and faster in speed than using a WIFI system. Tweaking and optimizing the network usually I leave that to the experts or sometimes just post a question in Facebook if you are stuck. The only concern is firing up the DNR functions. The fine-tuning comes in later as part of the process. If networking is not the area of your interest or expertise, then you should consult or hire someone to do it for you.<br />
<br />
<strong>(b) DON’T</strong><br />
What you should not do is to consult gamers about your system and setup unless you are rigging a gaming machine else, you will end up getting the wrong advise. I am not saying they do not know their stuffs. In fact they know too much and in my opinion some of them should be given the title “Bachelor of Games or Game Machine Rigger” or something. These group of people have dedicated almost half of their lives in gaming that they know inside out of the machines. You need to understand that production and gaming solution is different in the ways it operates, configurations and the usage of the computer functions. Yes some of the systems are similar but the Goal and needs are different. If you are not careful you will end up spending more than what you initially planned or getting the wrong components.<br />
<br />
Computer components consist of many grades from commercial to military grades, from low-end, entry level to high-end and so on. Even for a fan in the computer casing has tangible marginal gap between one and another. One good example like a computer motherboard, all of them provide the same functions and perhaps has the same capabilities but why the price gap differs? That you need to ask the experts and do some research on your own too. As mentioned earlier in this article you need to be firm and you need to know when to draw the line.<br />
<br />
<strong>(c) APPRECIATION</strong><br />
Since we are in the 3D contents creation industry and we need to thank and show our gratitude to computer gamers because of their passion, contributions and enthusiasm have managed to pushed the computer industries to a whole new level for better performance and better solutions and in-turn enable manufacturers to produced and pushed these high-end specifications components to the main stream hence reduction in price greatly.<br />
<br />
<strong>(d) ASSEMBLY</strong><br />
The mix and match of the computer components mostly recommended and assembled by professionals at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/aci.tec.7?fref=ts">ACI Karamunsing, KK</a> because they know best. Other sources are contributed by experts from the electronics engineering background, networking and administration, game designers, hardware engineers, forums, paid subscriptions portal and experts around the world. Frankly, my interest is not in the hardware but rather what the hardware can do for me and how to get the best out of them. Occasionally we need to know what is the development of the technologies around us, particularly the CPU and video card technologies that influence the development and advancement in 3D world. <br />
<br />
<strong>(f) CONFIGURATION AND SOFTWARE INSTALLATION</strong><br />
Usually I prefer to configure the hardware and install the OS and applications myself then of cause sometimes ask for help. You have the option to hire someone to do it for you if you like. You can search <a href="http://www.youtube.com/">Youtube</a> or <a href="http://www.tomshardware.com/">Tom’s Hardware</a> to gain some understanding of the topics should you need to do so. Or you can take up a short course (technical course: Computer Repairs and Maintenance) at <a href="http://infotek.edu.my/">infotek.edu.my</a>. I would like to stress that configuring the SSD hard disk is very different than setting up a normal mechanical hard disk. It took me sometime to understand and research why and what needed to be disabled and enabled in the BIOS and as well as at the OS level. So if you are not confident enough to perform such task, please consult your technician.<br />
<br />
<h4>
4.0 OVERALL COST BREAKDOWN</h4>
<strong>Schedule 3: Hardware, Network, OS, Software and Misc. Cost Breakdown</strong><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width: 540px;"> <tbody>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="168"><div align="center">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong>Item</strong> </span></div>
</td> <td valign="top" width="184"><div align="center">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong>Description</strong> </span></div>
</td> <td valign="top" width="100"><div align="center">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong>Sub-total/item</strong> </span></div>
</td> <td valign="top" width="86"><div align="right">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong>Amount</strong> </span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="168"><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong>1.0 Hardware</strong> </span></span></td> <td valign="top" width="184"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="86"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="168"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1.1 Workstation</span></td> <td valign="top" width="184"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1 unit</span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 9,781.00 </span></td> <td valign="top" width="86"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="168"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1.2 Rendernodes</span></td> <td valign="top" width="184"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2 units</span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 6,780.00 </span></td> <td valign="top" width="86"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="168"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1.3 Network devices and cables</span></td> <td valign="top" width="184"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Switch and cables</span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 300.00 </span></td> <td valign="top" width="86"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="168"></td> <td valign="top" width="184"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="86"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>RM 16,861.00</em> </span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="168"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="184"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="86"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="168"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong><span style="color: yellow;">2.0 Software</span></strong> </span></td> <td valign="top" width="184"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="86"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="168"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2.1.Vray for Sketchup</span></td> <td valign="top" width="184"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1 license for 1 computer</span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 3,000.00 avg. </span></td> <td valign="top" width="86"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="168"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2.2 Windows 7 Pro 64 bit (OEM)</span></td> <td valign="top" width="184"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">@RM 450.00 x 3</span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 1.350.00 </span></td> <td valign="top" width="86"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="168"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="184"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="86"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>RM 4350.00</em> </span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="168"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong><span style="color: yellow;">3.0 Misc.</span></strong> </span></td> <td valign="top" width="184"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="86"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="168"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3.1 Rewiring, new distribution box and grounding</span></td> <td valign="top" width="184"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Depending on the distance and depth of the copper rods requirement.</span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 1.600.00 </span></td> <td valign="top" width="86"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="168"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3.2 Power Cables</span></td> <td valign="top" width="184"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mcintosh cables</span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 800.00 </span></td> <td valign="top" width="86"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="168"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="184"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="86"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RM 2,400.00 </span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="168"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="184"><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></strong></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="86"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td></tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" width="168"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="184"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></td> <td valign="top" width="100"><strong><span style="color: yellow; font-size: xx-small;">Total Amount:</span></strong></td> <td valign="top" width="86"><strong><span style="color: yellow; font-size: xx-small;">RM 23,611.00</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h4>
5.0 CONCLUSION</h4>
<ul>
<li>Set a goal. </li>
<li>Study the capabilities and functions of the software and the network rendering license policy carefully. Consult with the software creator technical or sales team. </li>
<li>Conduct your own research before approach the hardware vendors if it checks out with your findings or vice-versa. Compare your notes and theirs if needed. </li>
<li>Make sure your setup is flexible for scalability or able to expansion. </li>
<li>You need to accept the fact that there is no resell values on these items. </li>
<li>You need to know that this is an investment and not a toy. </li>
<li>Everything has a lifespan and product life-cycle. Nothing last forever and there is no future proof in computer technology. </li>
<li>Plan the time frame carefully to the complete the setup and ready for deployment. For this size, 6 months is reasonable if you run on a tight budget. We would like to avoid price fluctuations of the components and obsolete technologies. So aim something higher but not too far ahead. If you do, you can never get things done. </li>
<li>Do not carry out all the tasks yourself, the idea is to implement not to build the system. To certain extend you might be tempted to decorate your units with the look and feel you want. If it doesn't help on the essential speed, stop it. No point of adding extra cost. This doesn't mean get the lowest price tag. The price standards in computer industries is always at par with the quality they offer. </li>
<li>Price tag of the component is differs greatly ranging from low-end, entry level to high-end. So keep them moderate. </li>
<li>Protect your investment from technical issues like inconsistency of electrical power supply and undersized wires or defected wires, insufficient grounding/earthing and unstable power source. </li>
<li>If possible, consider having your equipment insured against burglary and fire. </li>
<li>Lightning is a common cause of damaging your equipment. Best solution is to unplug or disconnect the main electrical power supply when you not in the premises or go for a long holiday. Lightning arrestor for this kind of setup will cost a fortune, perhaps you should check with your electrician to get more advise on this issue. To my knowledge and suggestions through friends that <a href="http://www.belkin.com/us/Products/Power/c/WSPWRSP;jsessionid=CBAFA7D0821F1476CC418CE9A17FABF9/">Belkin</a> has a good product on this. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<strong>Remark:</strong><br />
The cost of this setup is nothing if it helps to generate revenues and fulfill the needs. 20K is nothing compare to those who passionate in their hobbies like leisure, dining, cars, audiophile systems, gaming machines etc. But is normal for people to criticize and saying that you are insane spending all this money on computers which obsolete in 6 months. I know there are some people spent on cars decorations that has nothing to do with safety that cost more than 50k and people buying cars that cost more than their houses. Then again who are to judge others? So in the end only you know what is best for you and think wisely on setting your budget for the scale you need.<br />
<br />
Through this exercise, you will learn tons of things not only about DNR but the hardware as well. Never stop learning….and good luck.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />VVC-elearning.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11776284423007634254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732590509684362695.post-77258261057945658492014-09-07T12:00:00.000+08:002015-08-17T06:48:24.293+08:00Introduction to Distributed Network Rendering - student's note: Part 1 <br />
`<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-201AhEBgtkI/VAt0Mpyo8MI/AAAAAAAAA_U/a23SmLeaaDo/s1600/DistributedNetworkRendering.jpg" /><br />
rev: 1.0 updated: 08/09/2014 <br />
<h4>
SUMMARY</h4>
<strong></strong><br />
This note explains what is "Distributed Network Rendering" in general, and how it works in <a href="http://www.chaosgroup.com/en/2/vrayforsketchup.html">Vray for Sketchup</a>. Other 3D applications may not have the same methodology and approach but i believe they would be able to achieve the same result and speed maybe varies. It took me 2 years to planned, research and deploy this not just on Vray, but on various 3D applications and their implementation as well. However, for best result and easy to execute is Vray for sketchup. This plugin is very polished and considerably cheap compared to other rendering engines. The meaning of cheap here covers the time to learn the application and to deploy the DNR functionality features as we all know that time is money.<br />
<br />
<h4>
<a name='more'></a></h4>
<h4>
INTRODUCTION</h4>
Distributed rendering is a technique for distributing a single render job within a single frame across many computers in a network. There are different approaches of doing this but the main concept is to reduce the render times by dividing different parts of the rendering pipeline and giving each participant different parts of the job. The most common way to do this is to divide the frame to be rendered into small regions(buckets) and give each machine to render a number of them. Then get the results and combine them into the final image.<br />
- <a href="http://chaosgroup.com/">chaosgroup.com</a> <br />
<h4>
WHAT IS THE JUSTIFICATIONS?</h4>
Rendering speed is extremely important when it comes to meeting the deadline or given a time frame of a project commissioned by the client and consider the time factor in CG business as well. This technology (Distributed Network rendering or something similar) has been around for years and used in the movie industries and on large scale projects that cost millions. However, in recent years computers hardware have dropped in price, faster in speed and even better. It is affordable to implement Network Rendering now for small studio and even for SOHO. Depending on the budget, you can build your own rendering farm to meet the requirement you need. In my case, for research and education. <br />
<h4>
THE EXPERIMENT</h4>
It wasn't possible for me as a teacher to own a small research and development lap for this subject or to work on this technology few years back. This is due to the hardware limitations as well as software at that time prevented such experiment to be conducted at personal level. The most crucial part of the entire project is funding. With enough patience and the right timing, last year in October 2013 I've decided to execute this long awaited plan and slowly build these machines in the period of 6 months for the basic equipment (1 unit of Workstation and 2 units of rendering nodes or nodes) as trial basis. At first, I intended to have 3 dedicated units of nodes but since I am not in the render farm business, I cut the budget and reconfigured some of the specifications as originally planned. In addition, it is not cheap to build one. With this setup, I have the chance to work on the technology and I can increase the rendering speed by adding some other components to the new hardware setup which makes is sustainable should I require to do so. The most important thing is getting the result fast particularly creating new Vray materials, light adjustment in the scene and colour balance as a whole. It is very taxing task if you have a slow machine to do it.<br />
<br />
Apart from that, I can conduct other research and create new courses which is one of the main reasons to have this money spent. How can we teach and explain to students if we do not have the necessary hands-on experience? In this field, we don't expect to pick up a book off the shelf and read from it or google some articles from the internet or youtube and pretend that we know the technology and know-how. If we have no experience or knowledge of a particular subject we just don't advise people what to do. We can discuss about it but to advise? Word of advise, get the same group of people that has the same interest or expertise to discuss with and certain people that good in the area of expertise such as network specialist and so on. Else you will get people that suffers from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect">"Dunning-Kruger"</a> effects all around the net or your social network to criticize and judge your works.<br />
<br />
Frankly, these subjects are highly technical to me at least and not all information and functions can be explained or written down in the manual overnight. For all we know the book doesn't say a thing about troubleshooting during and after the implementation if shits happen. There is a reason they (the software creator) encourage us to seek advice from forums or search the blogs related to certain topics. These need experiment and not based on hearsay or guesstimate.<br />
<h4>
HARDWARE AND BUDGET</h4>
The computers and networking setup, i used medium range hardware specifications which consider as entry level to many, since this is not one machine but few that were required to run the test. We need to have a firm budget for this because we might end up over spent. We cannot put too much concentration and money on one particular unit like the workstation for example and neglect the rest. All of them are equally important and we need to oversee the entire spending and the result that we need. So just keep it moderate.<br />
<br />
<strong>1. The workstation screenshots:</strong><br />
<img height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-myLJAolh7Ew/VAuDWYBk1XI/AAAAAAAABAk/mo1uzFyqyFw/s1600/1399185_10152026159767278_1818860299_o.jpg" width="400" /><br />
Cheap medium size workstation casing<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O_Hzd0owsJM/VAuDXC8GVMI/AAAAAAAABA4/RaM9SUCVvXo/s1600/936035_10152026124602278_2027417244_n.jpg"><img height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O_Hzd0owsJM/VAuDXC8GVMI/AAAAAAAABA4/RaM9SUCVvXo/s1600/936035_10152026124602278_2027417244_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
Big cooling fan for long hour operation<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-evGfqVcHQ0g/VAuDSyyiSnI/AAAAAAAABAY/2B_VDHF73vM/s1600/1375176_10151910695042278_78383243_n.jpg"><img height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-evGfqVcHQ0g/VAuDSyyiSnI/AAAAAAAABAY/2B_VDHF73vM/s1600/1375176_10151910695042278_78383243_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
1000 AV Power Stabilizer<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VRVAvWRO3N4/VAuDSSXGpmI/AAAAAAAABAQ/IIl93Ytoemc/s1600/1272610_10151823474127278_520437149_o.jpg"><img height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VRVAvWRO3N4/VAuDSSXGpmI/AAAAAAAABAQ/IIl93Ytoemc/s1600/1272610_10151823474127278_520437149_o.jpg" width="296" /></a><br />
Entry level 8GB RAM 1600Mhz<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RRB4OR_hMA/VAuDShMDG5I/AAAAAAAABAU/bpI3mDcQtYE/s1600/1274751_10151863467707278_1003510642_o.jpg"><img height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RRB4OR_hMA/VAuDShMDG5I/AAAAAAAABAU/bpI3mDcQtYE/s1600/1274751_10151863467707278_1003510642_o.jpg" width="296" /></a><br />
4 x 8GB RAM 1600 and Intel i7 3.5mhz<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-clQYI3e8f8Q/VAuDVw95X3I/AAAAAAAABAs/m74arM3SfK8/s1600/734048_10152008661992278_1290591513_n.jpg"><img height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-clQYI3e8f8Q/VAuDVw95X3I/AAAAAAAABAs/m74arM3SfK8/s1600/734048_10152008661992278_1290591513_n.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
Mid range video card for modeling and<br />
real-time rendering purpose. It is not necessary<br />
for you to purchase this particular model.<br />
You can use lower model than this depending on<br />
your initial budget.<br />
<br />
<strong>Note:</strong><br />
Some components added are for other research which are not required to run Distributed Network Rendering.<br />
<br />
<strong>2. The rendering node screenshots:</strong><br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-clQYI3e8f8Q/VAuDVw95X3I/AAAAAAAABAc/FkgjASIF_Z8/s1600/734048_10152008661992278_1290591513_n.jpg"><br /></a>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-676ihLtvHvM/VAuFYcnfs3I/AAAAAAAABBE/2RTf1d0CzOo/s1600/1932777_10152215980227278_850316884_o.jpg"><img height="296" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-676ihLtvHvM/VAuFYcnfs3I/AAAAAAAABBE/2RTf1d0CzOo/s1600/1932777_10152215980227278_850316884_o.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
Small casing for the rendering node for<br />
small footprint<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M-bkEQTeaRc/VAuFa8AVTNI/AAAAAAAABBM/ZSNaQqRf-6w/s1600/1939846_10152215981097278_1458623103_o.jpg"><img height="296" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M-bkEQTeaRc/VAuFa8AVTNI/AAAAAAAABBM/ZSNaQqRf-6w/s1600/1939846_10152215981097278_1458623103_o.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
Mini ITX Motherboard and stable 450 Watt power supply is<br />
suffice since there is no power hungry video card installed.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3cNUgLmwIxw/VAuFbkJj13I/AAAAAAAABBU/51zAt-QSsew/s1600/1939478_10152218056677278_933538423_o.jpg"><img height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3cNUgLmwIxw/VAuFbkJj13I/AAAAAAAABBU/51zAt-QSsew/s1600/1939478_10152218056677278_933538423_o.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
Mid range SSD hard drive as recommended by<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChingChongNipNop">Mr Charles Chin</a> that this is one of the best in town and there<br />
is a reason for that.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VRVAvWRO3N4/VAuDSSXGpmI/AAAAAAAABAQ/IIl93Ytoemc/s1600/1272610_10151823474127278_520437149_o.jpg"><img height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VRVAvWRO3N4/VAuDSSXGpmI/AAAAAAAABAQ/IIl93Ytoemc/s1600/1272610_10151823474127278_520437149_o.jpg" width="296" /></a><br />
2 x 8GB 1600Mhz = 16GB for<br />
each node<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N1WLYvLtE2M/VAuGLMpYR1I/AAAAAAAABBc/Tq8PJ89kTHs/s1600/1655371_10152215979457278_734090320_o.jpg"><img height="296" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N1WLYvLtE2M/VAuGLMpYR1I/AAAAAAAABBc/Tq8PJ89kTHs/s1600/1655371_10152215979457278_734090320_o.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
INTEL i7K 3.6Mhz for each rendering node. (generation could<br />
be vary)<br />
<br />
Note:<br />
Use the most basic requirement for the node.<br />
<br />
<h4>
DISTRIBUTED NETWORK RENDERING ON MULTI-PLATFORM</h4>
<br />
I am not sure at this time, if we use multi-platforms or mix environment like Windows, linux or mac to perform this task but for testing and more consistent outcome i used the same platform (MS Windows 7 and 8 64 bits) and almost the same CPU specification. I connected the LAN network with 1000BASE‑TX hub and CAT6 cables which isolate the wireless connection to the internet and file server on all the machines. This way i can concentrate the distribution tasks using a different sets of IP addresses rather than mixing them up between the rendering packets and the internet connection. I used fixed IP address for the network rendering in this case. I am no hardware or network guru but i do think the configuration can be further improved . At this time it is not important to me since my main purpose is to run the DNR feature.<br />
<br />
Some forums would discourage to have mixed platforms or even different computer architecture and some say that is not an issue. Perhaps both are correct in a way since known bugs have be eliminated and improved over the years like Chaos Group and others that offer the same principles or features in their respective applications.<br />
<br />
To demonstrate this feature in Vray for Sketchup, I have prepared 2 short video clips performed on my setup to introduce you how to execute and activate the Distributed Network Rendering in Vray and the time difference between single machine and multiple machine render the same image. It may seem easy and simple but because of this note or article serves as an introduction only, i have skipped some procedures or shall I say Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that you need to perform before executing the network rendering. The full article shall be released in another article later this year. The article will explain why such components being used and the details of setting up the network as well as Pros and Cons.<br />
<br />
In this demonstration, I used the same image modelled in Sketchup and Vray as the rendering engine. The standard of reference used was render the same resolution with a single machine on (i7) and 2 i7s connected on the same network. Pay attention to the tiles or packets during the rendering process and the render time to complete in the end of the videos. For your information the video is not in real-time as to shorten the boring progress status of the rendering process. (for better viewing turn on the HD icon at the bottom of the video window on the player bar).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZkTGIobzvm0/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZkTGIobzvm0?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Rendered with Single i7 <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mXUweMdQupw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mXUweMdQupw?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Rendered with Distributed Network rendering in Vray (i7 x 2) <br />
<br />
<h4>
Conclusion:</h4>
To use or not to use Distributed Network Rendering in Vray in General is really depends on the tasks and the final delivery that you need. If you render video sequence to 780 HD or 1080 FULL HD resolution or should you require to render your image to higher resolution (e.g. 7000 above) for print as you normally would (between 1k to 3k) then I suggest you to give it a try.<br />
<div>
<br />
In theory if you need to render an image that takes 1 hour on a single machine it would be 1/5 of the time shorter if you use 5 nodes on Distributed Network Rendering with the same CPU speed. However, this depend on how the software manage the process and the technology differs greatly from one rendering engine to another. Since Sketchup is a 32 bit application and Vray operates within Sketchup, the rendering operation is limited to the 2 gb physical RAM limitation however, it was reported on the screen that an allocation of 4 GB ram were used for the rendering in this case. But this doesn't mean it will slowdown and limited to the rendering size. Indeed, sometimes you will encounter the exited limitation message or automatic quit from the application. There is solutions or work round for this kind of technical issues.</div>
<div>
<br />
There are some unsolved issues that if an image render higher than 4k resolution somehow the nodes stop responding and caused the image not rendered properly (with blank packets). It could be the software beta released or something to do with the network configuration, other than that it is really amazing with the rendering speed and i am very happy with it. (refer to the achievement log at the end of this article)</div>
<div>
<br />
I admit that I did not fully optimised the hardware and the network configuration during the test but that is not much of a concern to me since I only need more speed on the rendering part. However, for commercial services (providing render-farm services) or professional services these should not be overlooked and you should consult or do more research if you like on networking and packet thresholds.<br />
Result of the speed test rendered at: <br />
<ul>
<li>4000 x 1818 resolution = 3m 45.4s Network rendering</li>
<li>4000 x 1818 resolution = 7m 22.4s Single machine</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<span style="color: #ffc000;">Achievement Log:</span> <br />
<ul>
<li>06/09/2014 able to push the render to the desire 7k resolution which is ideal for print to A3 or A2 size paper using .vrimg format Vray special rendering method. </li>
<li><br />06/09/2014 rendering node stop responding to long rendering hours was due to that particular node was set to 32bit spawner for the server process which I set to autostart with windows. After switching to 64 bit version, then it ran smoothly. Further test needed to reaffirm that this assumption is accurate.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
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