Info: Folding SMP Client and WU processing times

[mannyo]

This usefull piece of information may help those wanting to try running the SMP client.

I have completed some testing over the last week or so, on various different systems, and this is how long each is taking to complete an SMP WU.

Intel Quad Core Q6600, not overclocked - 20hrs,
Intel Dual Xeon 3.6 CPU, not overclocked - 40hrs,
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400, not overclocked - 48hrs.

This is with each machine running 24x7. The AMD CPU just managed to complete each WU before its deadline timeout.

The two cons, are that the SMP client does not run as a service and needs to be restarted each time the computer is rebooted and it leaves a dos prompt running. The other one is that you need to be fairly IT literate to get it going as its not as straight forward as the console client to get working.

The pro, well at the moment it seems to be 1760 points for each WU currently (on windows based hardware).

[devonutopia]

Is there a guide how to set this up? I have a dual core AMD and its taking roughly 2 days for 300 point units (per core) - Would be nice to be using that 24/7 processing time for more production.

[garethw]

I have a machine running under Linux.

AMD ATHLON 64 X2 6000 28 hour 8 mins for 1760 points.

The only problem with this is that the queue mechanism seems to get corrupted and you have to manually reset it every 6 to 8 units.

[Fezboy]

I have no idea what your all talking about

I fold and just leave the PC on (Normally takes about 2 days to do a WU)

[mannyo]

Jason

1) To install the SMP client, download it from the usual location.

2) Run the downloaded executable, this will create a folder under c:\program files called "Folding at home SMP Client" or something like that.

3) use explorer and navigate to that folder.

4) double click on install.bat (this installs the MPI client that allows the SMP to work). You will need to enter a user account (default is the one you are using), then the password for that account twice. You should then see 2 messages "MPI is working" or something simillar.

5) Double click on FAH.exe, enter username, team number as before. When prompted if you want it to be a service say no, because the service does not work yet. Also when prompted enter "Y" for large work units. All other settings are as the normal console client.

6) Create a shortcut to FAH.exe on your desktop. You will need to click on this each time you reboot because the client does not start itself. I suppose the shortcut could be copied to the startup folder so it runs when you login.

[devonutopia]

Well, I got it working - It downloaded a WU but came up with some kind of error and would not start - actually went into standby for 24 hours due to 5 failed attempts at starting.

I have no idea why - so have re-cranked up the console client again.... I have a dual core athlon so wondered - does the SMP single client use both cores?

[mannyo]

Jason, The only time I have seen this is when the MPI is not installed properly. I assume you ran the install.bat file, and put the correct password in for your user account.

[fatty5000]

I think I'll leave mine as it is with it running under 2 accounts. Kids keep rebooting every now and then so it will end up going all to 5hit if do it this way. atm I'm averaging about 500 point a day which is ok and I can still use the machine whilst having both users logged on (still converts 800mb avi to dvd in 35mins). So I think I'll just be complicating things if I try the smp client. Know all I have to worry about is the electric bill for the machine being on since mid december

[devonutopia]

Originally Posted by mannyo

Jason, The only time I have seen this is when the MPI is not installed properly. I assume you ran the install.bat file, and put the correct password in for your user account.

You say "user account" - Is this for me to log into my profile on windows or something? I was not sure which account relevant. My PC has no real profile set up (probably does in reality but I never swap between users) and there's no password to my knowledge.

[TKW]

Originally Posted by devonutopia

You say "user account" - Is this for me to log into my profile on windows or something? I was not sure which account relevant. My PC has no real profile set up (probably does in reality but I never swap between users) and there's no password to my knowledge.

Yes, yours in this case (make sure it is a member of the admins group)

[devonutopia]

Anyone tell I've never had other users using a PC of mine before?!

I assume if I have no password, I just have my username and just hit return for the password entry twice??? Or should I setup a password and then enter that? Hmmmm.

[mannyo]

Jason, I honestly dont know. All the computers I have with the SMP client running all have passwords on their user accounts.

[devonutopia]

Well, it's going now.

I had to setup a password for my "account" on my PC, which was just down as "user" when I went into control panel (also down as computer administrator)

So, I gave that account a password and using the username "user" and this password on the install.bat setup, it went in fine, and now the FAH.exe box is open and it's crunching the units.

Good thing is for me, is this is a "one-hit" exercise in that one window is using both cores at the same time.

Also I've noticed the two items running in task manager is using more of the copious RAM this machine has to offer that the console client ever did.

Rock on.

[devonutopia]

Well, it reached 50 odd percent, then stopped, seemed to restart, but then stopped again at about 70%.... then when it was restarted it said there had been 8 terminations, and so it started all over again. I only remember 2 terminations, damnit. And the PC was never turned off at all.

[garethw]

Here is an easy way to try folding under Linux.

You will need a machine with a minimum of a CD ROM drive and a USB stick to hold the temporary results. Your locl network probably needs some form of DHCP server.

Follow this link (which comes from the tools section of the folding forum).

Folding CD Generator

Fill in your user name and the briskoda team number 42567

hit download and burn yourself a CD from the ISO image.

Boot your machine from the CD with the memory stick installed.

Look up the IP address of the computer either on the attached screen or on your local router.

Using your web broweser you can log into machines web page.

The main thing that can go wrong with this is if the PC is unable to download the SMP client from the Stanford site at which point the Web interface doesn't work.

If things change or there are bugs it takes a few days for the fixes to be put onto this website by the guy who has dreamt it up ( "NOTFRED").

Apologies if this is a bit technical.

Cheers
G.

[devonutopia]

My new attempt seemed to stop randomly at 5%..... No action in the task manager - All 4 FAH tasks have just "gone"

[devonutopia]

OK - finally my first WU has finished on SMP, and it took nigh on 2 days to finish. Trouble is now it says

"Could not transmit Unit 02 to collection server - blah blah"
"Could not connect to work server <results> <171.64.122.76:8000>"

Any ideas?

[Meadway]

I had the could not transmit problem when I started. Had to uncheck the "Use Internet Explorer settings to transmit" box in config.

[simontreen]

This SMP client is fab. I've increased my 24 hour average on an AMD 64 X2 6000 from around 500 point to nearly 1000...woohoo. What a difference optimised code makes.

[tfboy]

Is the SMP client better than running x time a normal client (where x = number of cores)? I suppose the difference is getting 1 WU done in a 1/x of the time as opposed to x WU done in normal time, hence a better points / WU ?