Stuck creating Web Farm

The Primary server appears to be stuck at "QueryInstalledProducts". The controller just keeps running:

Running operation'' QueryInstalledProducts"

and

Running operation 'RunRemote' {MethodType=Microsoft.Web.Farm.GetInstalledProductsRemoteMethod, MethodParameters={http://www.microsoft.com/web/webpi/3.0/WebproductList.xml, {}}}

I've tried uninstalling the components and rebuilding the Web Farm but the Controller always hangs at this point. I'm new to the Web Farm world, any idea when I should look to troubleshoot this problem?

Also, are there any alternatives to Microsoft's Web Farm Framework?

Thanks.