I want to share my experience of running a rendercow on a Linux system.
I have been thinking about trying this for some time, but did not want to mess up my Windows system.
I was recently given a used AMD 2.1 GHz Dual Core system.
This system would no longer run or install windows even with a new drive.
I was about to scrap it for parts when I decided to try Linux.
I succesfully installed Kubuntu 9.04 Linux.
The next step was to setup and run rendercow from Vue 6 Pro Studio.
I had to do some online research to learn how to install drivers and configure the network.
I installed the necessary video drivers and samba for network support and got the network to communicate with my Windows network.
I then installed Wine to allow Windows software to run.
Rendercow installed fine. From my Windows XP machine, I started the Vue network rendering.
It properly updated the rendercow and completed a test render.
This is a nice option for adding rendering power without spending big bucks for Windows.
I have not tested other versions of Linux or Vue, but I suspect many will do the same thing.
The only problem I have had is that after the first use the rendercow will give a port address error and need to be closed and restarted for the next render.
To anyone wanting to add rendernodes on a budget, give Linux a try
If you have been successful with a different Linux or Vue, I think many people would like to know about it too.

Quote -
The only problem I have had is that after the first use the rendercow will give a port address error and need to be closed and restarted for the next render.

That seems to be a general problem with the RenderCows under Wine. No biggie, though.