Guide to VMware and SMP install for F@H

[red930]

check this out!

http://www.planetamd64.com/index.php?showtopic=29163

 

The link is a guide on how to get the SMP linux folding client running under windows via VMware. Apparently the boost that SMP gives more than makes up for the fact that you're running through VMware

 

I just got it installed on my opty so we'll see how it goes, but judging from the response in that thread & some guys over at overclockersclub... this actually seems to work & will really boost your PPD (points per day)

[THEnumber337]

Guide to VMWare and SMP Install:

 

Your CPU must be a 64-bit AMD Dual Core or a 64-bit Intel Dual Core or higher with support for Virtualization Technology.

 

NOTE: Make sure you don't have Winrar or any other program like Winrar associating itself with ISO files.

 

1) Go here and download VMware Server 1.0.1 (it's free!!)

• accept the EULA
  
• choose VMware Server for Windows Operating System Binary (.exe)
  
• above it click Register and get your serial number.
  

2) Go here and download Ubuntu

• select Desktop Edition - Ubuntu 6.10 -Supported to 2008
  
• select 64bit AMD and Intel computers
  
• the file title should be ubuntu-6.10-desktop-amd64.iso if it doesn't
  then you downloaded the wrong one
  

 

3) Install VMWare.

 

4) Load VMWare.

• select Local Host
  
• select New Virtual Machine
  
• select Typical
  
• select Other and then Other 64-bit for the Version
  
• Use network address translation (NAT)
  
• Disk Capacity around 6.0 GB and select Allocate all disk space now.
  

 

5) Click on Edit virtual machine settings.

• Memory - select at least 500MB
  
• Processors - select Two
  
• CD-ROM - under Connection select Use ISO image and navigate to where you saved the Ubuntu download.
  

 

6) Click Start this virtual machine.

• select Start or install Ubuntu
  
• surf the web to make sure your internet is working correctly
  

 

7) Run the Ubuntu Installer in the top-left corner.

• select your language
  
• set up your time
  
• select your keyboard layout
  
• enter in information for Who are you?
  
• select Erase entire disk
  
• after it finishes installing you will need to click Restart now - this will just restart the Virtual Machine and not your whole computer
  

 

8) Shut Down Ubuntu

• under Devices double click CD-ROM - select Use physical drive under Connection so it does not use the ISO image anymore
  

9) Start up the Virtual Machine.

• check some website - make sure your internet connection is working
  
• download and install all the updates
  
• after finishing installing you will need to restart the system
  
• make sure your time and date are right
  

10) In Ubuntu, click on “Applications” go to “Accessories” and select “Terminal” and type:

 

sudo apt-get install ia32-libs

 

11) Now it's time to install SMP Folding at Home by typing the following (after every line hit enter):

 

mkdir -p ~/folding/FAH
cd ~/folding/FAH
wget http://folding.stanford.edu/release/FAH_SMP_Linux.tgz
tar xzf FAH_SMP_Linux.tgz

 

12) Now it's time to get the program running! Type:

 

./fah5

 

Now you must configure the client.

 

Leave the Terminal Window up so you can monitor the progress.

----------------------------------------------

• Alt+Ctrl puts your mouse back in Windows.
  

• Ctrl+C stops the client.
  

• If you need to restart your whole computer and need to get it running again open up the Terminal and type:
  

cd ~/folding/FAH
./fah5

• System Monitor is the Linux Equivalent of Task Manager
  

• If you want to calculate your PPD use this formula:
  

(WU points)*[(1440 minutes in a day)/(time for 1% of WU in minutes * 100)]

• If by some mistake you accidentally exit your Terminal Window use open up another Terminal Window and use this to monitor your client:
  

cd ~/folding/FAH
tail -s 60 FAHlog.txt

[THEnumber337]

VMware + SMP client running:

 

Tasr on configuration of the client:

Not a lot of talk about what to use for the configuration in the Folding@Home client. I configure my FAH client as follows.

 

Use the following command; sudo ./fah5 -local –configonly

 

This configuration comes up for your editing. The items in brackets [ ] are set at the default if you never edited the config before.

 

User name [tasr]? (Your User Name)

Team Number [45454]? 45454

Ask before fetching/sending work (no/yes) [no]? no

Use proxy (yes/no) [no]? no

Allow receipt of work assignments greater than 5MB in size (no/yes) [yes]? yes

Change advanced options (yes/no) [no]? yes

Core Priority (idle/low) [low]? low

Disable highly optimized assembly code (no/yes) [no]? no

Interval, in minutes, between checkpoints (3-30) [3]? 3

Memory, in MB, to indicate (498 available) [498]? 498

Request work units without deadlines (no/yes) [no]? no

Set -advmethods flag always, requesting new advanced

scientific cores and/or work units if available (no/yes) [yes]? yes

Ignore any deadline information (mainly useful if

system clock frequently has errors) (no/yes) [yes]? yes

Machine ID (1-16) [1]? 1

 

Please keep in mind the above values are not defaults but show what I run.

[Coors]

If you have a Quad Core you can run two instances of VM and work on two different proteins.

 

So do you think two instances running on a quad core with smp will get more points than four instances on a quad core with no smp?

 

Edit: and I can delete this post if you want to reserve it too.

[THEnumber337]

reserved too.

[THEnumber337]

So do you think two instances running on a quad core with smp will get more points than four instances on a quad core with no smp?

 

Yes. Because SMP is in Beta right now there are bonus points assigned to the WU's. I have an Opty 165 at 2.7Ghz (for reference). Two of the hardest WU's right now are the 2605 and 2604 and are worth 1760 points. I get through them in 1.5 days for about 1100 PPD just off of my one processor. I have seen other people with C2D processors go through them in approximately 17 hours for well over 2000 PPD with that one processor.

 

IF you set up to VMware instances on a Quad Core you will need to set affinity in the Task Manager of Windows.

[Coors]

And using Ubuntu not through VMware will get you even more points? Cause with two rigs I can just dedicate one to having Ubuntu and still use one for windows.

[THEnumber337]

And using Ubuntu not through VMware will get you even more points? Cause with two rigs I can just dedicate one to having Ubuntu and still use one for windows.

 

There is a performance penalty for using VMware. It's not a HUGE penalty but if you can afford to dedicate it to Linux then go for it. I need Windows cause I do other stuff on my computer too.

 

I really know nothing about Linux though.

[UncleDavid218]

coughstickycough

[UncleDavid218]

http://www.carpron.com/multisite/d/125214-1/Untitled-1.jpg

 

What am I doing wrong?

[THEnumber337]

http://www.carpron.com/multisite/d/125214-1/Untitled-1.jpg

 

What am I doing wrong?

 

Right after the "tar xzf FAH_SMP_Linux.tgz" type:

 

./fah5

 

and that will start the process.

[UncleDavid218]

Yeah when I do that nothing happens, and it never asks me for a team number or user name

 

This virtualization is awesome regardless!