Render Farm - What is the Best Setup?

[TheAllusionist]

My question is to find out what people are using for successful network configurations for render farms. I have had just a basic workgroup type network at home, what ever computers are on can talk to on another, but no dedicated server. This appears to be the root of my problems, reliable paths and communication seem to erratic and sometimes things will work as expected and sometimes not.

I was thinking of revamping/restructuring my system with a dedicated server with all my materials, etc. resideing their and definitive mapped drives/paths for reliable collabrotive renders in Max and XSI for example. However, I kind of like having the system where I only need have the computer I am using on and the others off if need be, so before I go to all the trouble of switching to a true network I wanted to get an idea of what others were doing, or if you know, what the production houses are doing.

I like the thought of being able to use slightly outdated computers to help speed the rendering process out without worrying about trying to keep up with latest fasted multiple CPU work station, if I can use multiple Dual core and Dual processor computers that I already have vs trying to keep up with the latest Quad or Eight core workstation, I would prefer it. So this is an information gathering mission of sorts.

So tell me your setup!

[TheAllusionist]

Am I allowed to bump?