Quote - Do you think DAZ even knows what the render node is?

Probably as they've got the "Grid" render node license pack thingy in the store.

Are you sure that the application SIT file doesn't have the installer you need ?
The ZIP file for Windows was effectively a CD image.
I doubt the Mac layout / install procedure is that different.

The Carrara.exe that Node installer installed is just a very cut down GUI to allow for configuration of the network settings etc.