Options for Folding on SBS2008

SiriusB

SiriusB

SiriusB

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Hello chaps!

In a short while I plan to build myself a shiny new i7 rig. I haven't built or upgraded a PC in nearly 2 years so I think it is about time!

My current PC is an Q6600 + Asus P5B and will be serving as my home server. No pun intended. Much.

Currently it only has 2GB of RAM, but I will probably chuck in some more and take it up to at least 4GB and run SBS2008 [free copy from work, woo!]. Now, a Q6600 and 4GB of RAM is not going to be taxed by a server handling a few emails and DNS so I have decided it will fold.

I have been out of the loop for some time now and I am no longer sure what is currently the best client. I did recently try to install the Windows SMP client on this PC [Windows 7 64 RC] but I cannot for the life of me get the bloody MPICH crap working. It informs me my machine refused the connection or some such rubbish. I digress, but suffice to say I have tried everything but no go.

I am hoping it will run just fine on SBS2008 but wanted to run it by you guys. I had considered a GPU client, but I don't particularly fancy buying a DX10 graphics card just for my server just so it can fold. I have also considered VMing Ubuntu Server Ed on the server, but I don't know the current state of the Linux SMP client.

I will probably fold on my new i7 rig once I have it, but in all likelihood it wouldn't be full time [or in the very least not at full throttle]. I have kinda gotten used to a quiet bedroom at night. A cool bedroom too!

So ladies, what are your thoughts?
 
Lol windows SMP is a massive fail at the best of times, The Linux SMP under a VM however is so much better and gives the best PPD of course.
I don't know about SBS but would imagine it will be fine for folding.
And the i7 is just crazy for CPU folding but would need to be on 24/7 to get the best 25k WU finished for a bonus, other than that it's good for around up to 6-9kPPD i think can't remember been to long since my board died :(
 
I used to fold full time in Linux on my E6600 and my current Q6600. The PPD was quite nice if I remember :D

Since the Windows SMP client doesn't sound like it has improved one jot in the last 2 years I will probably go the VM route. I tried that when I switched back to using mainly Windows, but found it a bit annoying having to remember to load up my VM whenever I rebooted! At least on an always-on PC that shouldn't be a problem.
 
Bah!

To be honest I probably wouldn't have noticed it. I said not very long ago I wasn't likely to fold again. Haven't folded properly in well over a year now I think. I am still curious about a borg that's dropping points now and then :p
 
I'd go the VM route (then if it bellies up it won't take out the server)

After that you could maybe pick up a decent folding graphics card on the cheap if you want more ppd.
 
I'm not too worried about the server falling over, just don't want to have to babysit a folding client which was why I asked what's working and what aint. :p

Wish I knew what was wrong with MPICH on this thing though. Even when I cleared out every last trace of it - including Registry - it still effs up. Might be an excuse to get off RC and install my release version. So lazy.
 
The simplest route is VMPlayer and diskless FAH - absolutely no messing about with Ubuntu and having to configure Samba so Fahmon can see the folders. Set up two instances and set their priority to low so the server can get on with its work when necessary. You should get almost 4000ppd from a stock Q6600.
 
Snapshot said:
The simplest route is VMPlayer and diskless FAH - absolutely no messing about with Ubuntu and having to configure Samba so Fahmon can see the folders. Set up two instances and set their priority to low so the server can get on with its work when necessary. You should get almost 4000ppd from a stock Q6600.
Click to expand...

With the latest version of VMPlayer you only need to set up one VM, it can use all four cores by itself.
 
Snapshot said:
The simplest route is VMPlayer and diskless FAH - absolutely no messing about with Ubuntu and having to configure Samba so Fahmon can see the folders. Set up two instances and set their priority to low so the server can get on with its work when necessary. You should get almost 4000ppd from a stock Q6600.
Click to expand...

How easy is diskless FaH to set up? I have had a quick nose around and it would appear it takes a bit of arsing about.
 
You set most of it up on the web site before downloading the files (or ISO). You then just create a folder for the two files and double click the .VMDK to start VMware. You might need a minor amount of tweaking from the web interface once it's running but I mean minor.
 
OK I am being really dense today, what website?

A search for "diskless fah" just brings up a bunch of guides on setting up farms. Nothing about configuring it on a website.

Apologies for being slow :p

EDIT: Nevermind! Found it. :)
 
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I finally got Diskless FaH running in a VM, woo!

I started off with the Virtual Machine Diskless FaH for VMPlayer/Server. However for some reason Bridged network in VMWare just would NOT work. I spent 2 hours trying everything. NAT networking worked just fine, but that presented the problem of being able to access the VM over the network, as it would effectively be behind a NAT. It was a ballache I wanted to avoid.

So, I decided to make the custom .iso for Diskless and loaded it up in a 4-core VirtualBox VM. Bridged networking actually works in VB [screw you VMWare! :angry:] but my PCs performance with all 4 cores running was abysmal. Even with the VB processes set to Low priority in Windows hardly helped. I am now running at just 2 cores and everything seems to be OK.

I would prefer to use VMWare on a future server, as I think it has better control over the host CPU - ie it wont grind it to halt - when using 4 cores. I am half tempted to build a small farm too, maybe 2 or 3 folding boxes. See how the money is :p
 
No rush just yet, need to find an excuse for having a bunch of machines running in my dad's attic! :p

I think they will probably be rack-mounted if I do it too. Ever since we cleared out the attic and laid down boards, there is loads of room, so might build a small rack in there. Already going to have a switch and maybe a patch panel.

As for the folders themselves, I quickly specced up two AMD Phenom II X4 965 boxes with 2GB RAM each and cheapy Gigabyte mobos. £700 from a competitor with rack mount cases and psu. I am sure I can get that cheaper, especially if I wait a short while/shop around. Nothing may come of it, but it is a nice way to waste a Sunday afternoon!

As an aside, my first WU is 2669 and is at 10%. Looking at around 15-17 minutes per frame. 1690PPD according to FahMon. Kinda wish I could use all 4 cores now!
 
Yeah, definitely. Probably going to order some parts tomorrow, namely the gigabit switch and cables. Need to scrounge an RJ45 crimping tool. I thought I had one but if I did it's hiding.

On the subject of Folding, my client is doing great on 2 cores still. Had a slight mishap earlier on - it bombed out at 5%. The linux environment reported a lack of memory. Upped it from 512 to 768. Sooner I get more RAM the better! :p
 
SiriusB said:
I finally got Diskless FaH running in a VM, woo!

I started off with the Virtual Machine Diskless FaH for VMPlayer/Server. However for some reason Bridged network in VMWare just would NOT work. I spent 2 hours trying everything. NAT networking worked just fine, but that presented the problem of being able to access the VM over the network, as it would effectively be behind a NAT. It was a ballache I wanted to avoid.
Click to expand...
I'm a bit surprised about that as I've had no trouble with bridged networking, albeit under XP & XP64.
 
I am not the only one in the world who has problems. A quick Google for VMWare bridged networking brings up a gajillion people with the same issue. I think it may be the fact I am on Windows 7 RC. VirtualBox doesn't have an issue. Perhaps the VMWare bridged networking driver doesn't work so well for Win7 RC.

*shrug*
 
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