The Server Properties dialog contains configuration settings for the Network Rendering Servers. With the exception of the Manager Name or IP Address setting, the default settings in this dialog work in most cases, but certain situations may require adjustment of these settings. The information specified in the Server Properties dialog is contained in the server.ini (in the \network subdirectory). If you run Server and the server.ini files does not exist, you’re prompted to configure it. When configuration is complete, rerun the Server to continue.
Manager Name or IP Address: Specifies the IP address or DNS name of the current manager. Use the Manager’s IP address to avoid any problems or conflicts caused by improper implementation of the Domain Name System.
The two spinners in the TCP/IP section specify the port number to be used by MAX. These numbers must be unique to 3DS MAX, but every server must have the same number.
Note: Port numbers are like extensions for different users of the same phone number. They represent two channels of communication between the server and the manager. Only a trained network administrator should decide to change these settings.
The two parameters in the general section let you specify the time, in seconds, for correct communication to occur between the Manager and the server(s).
Wait for MAX to Load: Specifies the amount of time that the Server will try to report back to the Manager that the rendering has started. If the server does not begin rendering before the value specified, the frame is reclaimed and submitted to another server.
Wait for MAX to Render: Specifies the amount of time the Server will wait for the frame to complete rendering before generating an error.
Specifies which archiving program is used when the Include Maps checkbox is checked in the Network Job Assignment subdialog.
Command: Specifies the name of the archiving utility that will “unpack” the archived maps.
Note: The utility specified here must be capable of “unpacking” the data “packed” by the program specified in the Archive area of the Files/Preferences/Files page. For example, if you specified pkzip in the Archive System, you would specify pkunzip here.
Options: Specifies command-line parameters for the archiving utility.