# Setting Up Local Network Rendering with OctaneRender (Mac + PC) {% embed url="" %} **Summary**\ Leverage all your local GPUs across Mac and PC to speed up render times with OctaneRender's built-in network rendering system. This guide walks you through the full setup - from installing daemon nodes to enabling rendering across machines - and shows how local optimization can bridge the gap before sending large jobs to the [Render Network](https://render.x.io/). *** **Step 1: Install the Octane Render Node App** 1. Visit[ ](https://otoy.com)[otoy.com](http://otoy.com) Click on Downloads→ Applications 2. Scroll to OctaneRender Network Render Node Installers 3. Download and install the same version (e.g., 2025.2) that matches your Standalone and DCC plugins (e.g., C4D). ⚠️ Versioning matters: mismatched node versions will result in connection errors. *** **Step 2: Configure Your Slave (Daemon) Machine** Windows: * Navigate to your installed node directory (inside your application where you installed the node application) * Run: \_install\_daemon.bat * When prompted: * Port: 48000 (leave default unless changed) * GPUs: all or specify which * Enable out-of-core memory as needed * Then run: \_run\_installed\_daemon.bat **macOS:** * Currently Mac can only be used as the master and not the slave component. This means you can bind your Windows laptop and PC GPU’s to your Mac seamlessly, but not the other way around currently.
* Please also check the MacOS compatibility guide to ensure your hardware is compatible: *** **Step 3: Enable Network Rendering in Octane** In Cinema 4D (or other DCCs): * Open Live Viewer → Options → Network Rendering * Click Settings * Ensure the Daemon Network Port matches (48000) * Enable nodes when they appear (must be running the \_run\_installed\_daemon.bat on the Daemon machine)
In Octane Standalone: * Go to Preferences → Network Render * Toggle Enable Network Rendering * Nodes will appear automatically once active *** **Tips for Best Performance** * Local network rendering is most impactful for heavy scenes with volumetrics, glass, particles, etc. * For small/light scenes, the network overhead may outweigh the performance gains. * Running multiple machines (e.g., Mac + PC) allows hybrid setups for maximum flexibility. * If the nodes are running and the network render client is reading them on your main machine, try toggling the enable on and off to refresh *** **💡 Render Network Unlimited Scale** If you're not quite ready to send a large scene to the [**Render Network**](https://render.x.io/), setting up local network rendering gives you a major speed boost while keeping everything in-house. It’s a great way to test performance, iterate quickly, and prepare your scene before pushing to a massively scalable render farm. *** **✅ Final Thoughts** With just a few setup steps, you can turn your spare laptops, desktops, or even hybrid Mac/PC setups into a local render farm. Download the node installer and start optimizing your Octane workflow today.
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