Zero-Install Configurations

This provides a guide for studios employing a zero-install configuration.

Setup the server side of the studio licensing on the dedicated server.
Install Houdini and all required components and commit this to your versioning software.
Setup a DNS SRV with details _sesi-lm._tcp for easier management of the license server.
On windows, Hserver should not be installed as a service on the client machine. This informs licensing that it should operate like its on Linux/OSX. What this means is that Houdini will try to startup Hserver if its not already running. Additionally, it allows studios custom launch scripts to start Hserver without requiring administrative privileges.

Installation ¶

Install Launcher
Install Houdini
Install Engine PlugIns
Install HQueue

HQueue is a powerful general-purpose job management system. You can use it to distribute renders, simulations, and other work to remote clients.
Install Packages
Script Houdini Installs
Install Houdini Offline
Install CUDA and cuDNN

Install CUDA to access a development environment for general computing on GPUs. You can then install cuDNN to accelerate Deep Learning models.

Licensing ¶

Specific Setups ¶

Launcher

The Houdini Launcher downloads, installs, upgrades, and uninstall Houdini and its components.
Sesinetd (License Server)

The Houdini license server. This program runs in the background managing Houdini licenses.
Hserver (Houdini License Server)

Houdini communicates through this proxy server to the sesinetd licensing daemon.
Hkey (Houdini License Administrator)

Opens a graphical user interface for viewing and managing licenses and license server options.
Sesictrl (Non-Graphical License Administrator)

Sets Houdini license server options from the command line.