[sdiy] semi-OT : Networking old Macs - how to ?

[jbv]

Hi folks,

For quite some time I've had a project with possible musical
applications : networking several (3 to 10) old Nubus Macs
(IIfx, quadras and early PPCs).
The idea is to set up some kind of cluster and use the processing
power for 3D rendering (using NetRenderman for instance) and
also music apps such as complex (crazy ?) granular polyphony
by stuffing each Macs with various Nubus cards (Samplecell...).
Those Macs would run MacOS 7.5.3 to 8.1.

Yes, I know what some list members are already thinking :
some of these tasks can be done with only 1 of the most
recent Macs. But the latest (and expensive) machines can be
better used for more productive (and lucrative) tasks than
weird experiments...
One of the idea for instance is to have some musical process
involving complex granular polyphony running (and evolving)
non stop 24 hrs a day for weeks...

OK, now the core of my question : the ideal situation would be
to control all the central units from only 1 monitor & kbd.
Also, each Mac should be able to exchange raw data with any
other (for custom apps). Midi is also an option...

I've been thinking of setting up Ethernet connections using old
Ethernet cards (that can be found for almost nothing these days
on eBay and other websites), but that would waste 1 Nubus slot
on each machine...
As for software control, years ago I used to run Timbuktu, but
I guess cheaper solutions (freeware) exist now...

I found some valuable suggestions on this site :
http://njcc.com/~hjohnson/mac.html
but would apreciate any other suggestion, if anyone has some
experience in that field (education seems to be a domain where
old computers are recycled and networked)...

If you think that's totally OT, then please reply off-list.

Thanks a bunch,
JB