A TF2Maps VMPI network?

For those who don't know what VMPI is:
http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Vmpi

Basically, it allows for networked compiles. Valve has it installed on every computer in their office and so what normally takes half an hour to compile can be done in a matter of minutes.

Unfortunately, if you read that article, it states that VRAD over VMPI is totally broken. I was thinking, if they end up fixing this (read: if we annoy them enough about it) we're all friends here who want to help people get their maps running. So why not start up a network so people can compile faster using other peoples' idle cpus?

There's a nice tool for setting it up here: http://exp-softworks.com/2008/12/07/senc-source-extended-net-compiler/

What do you guys think?

 

I'd definitely be willing to donate whatever free processing I have towards getting more maps out and running. I really like the sound of this.

 

This is why I love America.

 

Wow, yeah, we must have this. Sounds awesome.

 

The guys at playportal.net *Colt* were working on such a project a few months ago.

 

Back in the days of GoldSrc mapping, there was a website that offered a remote compile service. You basically uploaded your VMF (or RMF back then, heh) and waited in line to get it compiled (it usually took 1-2 days). It'd probably be useless today since maps took way longer to compile back then (no func_detail and processors were so much slower), but a cloud compile network would be awesome

 

If they fixed it up, I might assist. MY comp is on about 12 hrs a day when I am not doing anything processor-extensive.

 

Sounds like a good idea

(500th post)

 

I'm in.

 

Dito, would be great

I downloaded the client you posted, but i can´t find any place where to put extra compile-commands, like textureshadows etc.

On that note, i somewhat ago posted about the VBCT (Valve Batch Compile Tool)
it also has the VMPI Options, though i don´t know if the varying IPs of all of us wouldn´t be a problem..

but to get a stable network, we could use Hamachi, a neat freeware virtual local network client

Just my thoughts on that topic, would definately be a blast to be able to compile in less time and being able to passively help out

 

Yes. Yes, yes, yes. Yes yes yes yes. Yes.

I'm in.

 

If we could set up the network, yes I would love to do it! This would speed up compile times so much!

I was wondering if something like this existed. Thanks!

 

Compiles don't take that long anyway I've never seen anything over an hour so far.

 

Yep, it was just a tool that ran when someone needed a map compiled, they just uploaded the IP to the worklist and the client ran on the PCs would check every now and again, unfortunatly a few people have gone their seperate ways, never got to a fully working/release stage

 

I tried VMPI at home but get an error saying...

Initializing VMPI...
Can't find i:\games\steam\steamapps\ACCOUNTNAME\sourcesdk\bin\orangebox\bin\dependency_info_vvis.txt.

The ends, anyone got a solution?

 

I have an old box that could be set up 24/7 (Already planning in doing that and running as a server), but my bandwidth may not be good enough for something like that.

 

I'd love to help, I hardly use 1 of the 4 cores on my processor.

 

From the overwhelming positive response, let's start spamming valve with emails.

 

I have a total of 7 processors/cores in this room with one being on all the time, I'd be willing to contribute those when they're on (and the one that's always on since I'm almost never using it).

 

What are we waiting for? Lets get started!