The HQueue server does not require a license to operate.

The HQueue clients do require licenses to run Houdini jobs. Houdini simulation jobs and IFD generation jobs require Houdini Engine (or equivalent, i.e. Houdini FX) licenses. Mantra render jobs require Render licenses. Karma render jobs require Karma licenses. All other render jobs that cook .hip files require Houdini Engine (or equivalent) licenses.

HQueue server configuration

Create a new user for the renderfarm

Create a new user that will be common on all nodes in your render farm, including the HQueue server. Or, use an existing user account that is already on every machine on the farm (server and clients).

Right-click on the Windows start icon and select Computer Management.

Select Local Users and Groups

Right-click on Users to select New User. Fill in the new user details. There is an example below you may follow.

Right-click on Groups to select New Group. Fill in the new group information. There is an example below you may follow.

Now you will create a new user and group for the farm. Both the server machine and client nodes should use the same user. You will also use this user to map the shared network drive exported by the server.

In this example, we will create the hquser and the hqgroup. We will put the hquser into the hqgroup. Assign the hquser a password. The render farm will use hquser and hqgroup to map the network drive and to run the HQueue server/client software.

Ensure to add hquser to the hqgroup. If you're using a different user/group, ensure to add your user to the group you have created.

Create the shared network folder and export to the client nodes

The render nodes will access this mapped network drive using the render farm username and password as given in the previous steps. In this example, this will be hquser.

In this example, we have created the hq folder in the C: drive.

Right-click on the hq folder and select Properties.
Click on the Sharing tab.
Next, click the Share button.

Find the new user you have created (in this example it is hquser) and click Add. Ensure this user has Read/Write access to the network share.

The network folder is now configured. Remote client machines should now be able to use the shared drive as the hquser. Your machine name will be different than our example. Your user name to access the shared folder may also be different if you have used something other than hquser.

Install the HQueue Server software using the Houdini installer

Using the Houdini installer on your server machine, select to install the HQueue server. If you want the HQueue server to also act as a client, go ahead and install the HQueue client as well along with the main Houdini application. If you are installing the HQueue client, you will need to ensure that the Houdini application is also selected to be installed.

In this example, the HQueue server will be called brock.sidefx.com. Your machine name will be different. Please use your machine name in place of brock.sidefx.com.

The HQueue server should be now accessible through a web browser: http://localhost:5000

In this example we have two clients configured - one being the server machine itself. It is also a client node.

Remote clients will need to access the HQueue server either by the machine name or the routable address. In our example, the license server is Brock so to access HQueue over the web browser: http://brock.sidefx.com:5000. Substitute Brock.sidefx.com with your server machine name or address. Ensure to add :5000 as this is the port clients will connect to.

HQueue client configuration

Create the new render farm user on the client node

Just like you had done on the server machine:
Create a new user that will be common on all nodes in your render farm, including the HQueue server. Or, use an existing user account that is already on every machine on the farm (server and clients).

Right-click on the Windows start icon and select Computer Management.

Select Local Users and Groups

Right-click on Users to select New User. Fill in the new user details. There is an example below you may follow.

Right-click on Groups to select New Group. Fill in the new group information. There is an example below you may follow.

Now you will create a new user and group for the farm. Both the server machine and client nodes should use the same user. You will also use this user to map the shared network drive exported by the server.

In this example, we will create the hquser and the hqgroup. We will put the hquser into the hqgroup. Assign the hquser a password. The render farm will use hquser and hqgroup to map the network drive and to run the HQueue server/client software.

Ensure to add hquser to the hqgroup. If you're using a different user/group, ensure to add your user to the group you have created.

Map the shared network drive

Map the network share created on the server, onto the client machine. Use the render user you have setup to connect to the share.

In the following example, we will map the network drive as the common hquser user.

Right-click the Windows Start button and select File Explorer.

Click the Map network drive button at the top.



Another way to view the Map Network Drive functionality is to right-click on This PC.

Install the HQueue client software using the Houdini installer

Enter the name of the HQueue server. Ensure to use your machine name or IP address.
In our example, brock.sidefx.com is the HQueue server.

For more information on HQueue please refer to the online documentation