so school me...

[dementedchord]

what's the diff between pc and a server??? how hard is it to run multiple machines??? (say to offload vsti's) will software that is xp compatable (what i'm running now) also run under say server2003??? can i simply run xp on a server??? what say ye???

[TerryG]

You're among a group of guys on this forum who constantly seek out investigating and designing the most efficient and effective systems possible for DAW use.

If runnng multiple servers in Win2003 was the happening thing, you wouldn't need to ask.... we'd all have been drooling about it long ago. :wink:

These days, it's hard to imagine anyone overburdening the real world capability of a well-configured i7system running WinXPSP3.
These can be built for well under $2000.

[kdm]

what's the diff between pc and a server??? how hard is it to run multiple machines??? (say to offload vsti's) will software that is xp compatable (what i'm running now) also run under say server2003??? can i simply run xp on a server??? what say ye???

To offload VSTis, look into Midi Over Lan (http://www.musiclab.com/products/rpl_info.htm), and hosting programs like Bidule, or even using a second copy of Cubase, etc.

It's easy - if you want to run audio, there is FX Teleport, but for VSTi's, I prefer just to pipe audio back in via lightpipe from RME cards on the slaves.

You only need either WinXP Pro or Vista32/64 (or OSX if you have a Mac lying around).

[dementedchord]

You're among a group of guys on this forum who constantly seek out investigating and designing the most efficient and effective systems possible for DAW use.

If runnng multiple servers in Win2003 was the happening thing, you wouldn't need to ask.... we'd all have been drooling about it long ago. :wink:

These days, it's hard to imagine anyone overburdening the real world capability of a well-configured i7system running WinXPSP3.
These can be built for well under $2000.

just wondering as a buddy who writes code for some insurance co pointed out that on ebay for @$1k i can cop 2-3 dell dual duals...

[paulwr]

might be nice. You'd want to know the mother boards and memory and be sure hardware/software is proven to work well with them. If so, might be a great way to get a big farm system rolling. Just do all the math/research for the balance of things you'll need: KDM switch or software switch to access slaves when needed, MidiOverLan, rme sound cards or other quality cards, maybe FX teleport, etc....... It will add up, and time setting up giant templates........ just brutal. BUT heaven once you are rolling........ if you use that much power on a regular basic, such as doing large orchestra mock ups.....

Good luck,
-Paul

[dementedchord]

thnx paul... one of the reasons i'm considering this is i still play out from time to time and would maybe like to go with vsti's for that and dont trust notebooks for that... perhaps a silly discriminatioon on my part but there it is... also this would allow me to work on audio while my partner works on his scoring projects... just afraid i may be overlooking something as on a tech level i'm more comfortable talking about tubes and transistors...

[paulwr]

You'll be needing to use XP x32 or x64 or later. I don't think you want to be building on a 2003 server o/s....... even it it is possible now, it wouldn't last you. You can still get free keys for W7 release candidate if you can get the software from someone. Legal. Good til next spring.

-Paul

[dementedchord]

i'm using xppro on this box.. the only reason i mentioned server2003 is it was mentioned in a couple of ads... most of them also have dual 1G nics...

[TerryG]

OK... I've just updated my perspective...

Check out this site:
http://www.win2008r2workstation.com/

And this opening quote:

"Using this manual you will be able to use Windows Server 2008 R2 as a lightning fast Workstation which allows you to use applications, develop or play games better than you ever could on a home user Operating System like Windows 7 or Windows Vista!"

So, I'm intrigued... and I just happen to have a copy of Win 2008 Server R2 64-bit.

Maybe this will catch Vin's eye...

I'm busy as hell in school right now, but as soon as I can set aside a day to get this up and running, I'll do some benchmarks with Cubendo.

[dementedchord]

thnx terry... will look forward to your updates on this... i admit i dont know much about puters in general and it just seemed as though there could be something to it... gotta be a reason other areas use this idea... not just a matter of wanting to sell multiple boxes??? yeah right...

[TAFKAT]

So, I'm intrigued... and I just happen to have a copy of Win 2008 Server R2 64-bit.

Maybe this will catch Vin's eye....

Hey Terry,

I did the same with W2K3 Server a few years back , it was a nicer kernel than XP back then, and its the kernel used in XP x64 . XPx64 is essentially W2K3 - Pro. ( Check out the service pack updates for XP x64, they are actually labelled W2K3 x64 )

I'll have another poke at W2K8 Server again, haven't done so since RC actually, back then it was a stripped back Vista , while this one is based on Win 7.

Downloading now... :-)

[dementedchord]

bump...

just wondering if anyone had a chance to try this...