Guide for SMP Folding using VMware and Ubuntu

[ccperf721p]

I use VMware and Linux on my Windows rigs with better results than I get with the Windows SMP client so I figured I would pass on the info a short how to.. Usually nets me an extra 50-75 ppd so it's not much, but every little bit helps and boosts the team..

There is so much more that VMware is capable such as setting up custom virtual machines, to check compatibility of components within an OS. Comes in handy with some Linux Distros, "cough" Gentoo for finding and repairing broken packages without crashing your real 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 1.0.4 You will need to register to get a serial number before you can use the app Download VMware Server, free VMware, virtual server - VMware -- If you need a serial and don't want to go through the reg process just ask and I'll throw you one. If you do register make sure you get a few extra serials ---
.

* 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 Download Ubuntu | Ubuntu

* select Desktop Edition - Ubuntu 7.04 -Supported to 2008
* select 64bit AMD and Intel computers
* the file title should be ubuntu-7.04-desktop-amd64.iso if it doesn't
then you downloaded the wrong one

3) Install VMWare.

4) Load VMWare.

There are tabs at the top of the VMware window to go between home and your selected virtual machine.

* select Local Host
* select New Virtual Machine
* select Typical
* select Other and then Other 64-bit for the Version
* name it or leave at defaut.
* 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

[robbie]

Yet another sticky!!
Thank you for the info!

[ccperf721p]

VMware is a quite powerful program in itself and may offer benefit to some people. It has proven itself useful to me time and again. Plus it's a great way to take a Linux Distro for a test drive without making any changes to your rig and still allowing full use of the Linux OS.

[Samuknow]

This is great stuff. What a big addition.

[ccperf721p]

I'm basically software challenged, but my friends, who actually use their computers to make a living, are forcing me to put my computers and my mind to good use. They drop a project a month on me so I should be able to get a guide, how to, or just a review of some of the cooler stuff we can use on our rigs at the same pace..

Bear with me though, 36 and I am using a program to finally learn how to type..

[Gizmo]

Feel free to submit an article for publication with us: $25 for qualifying articles that we accept for publication. You can learn the details here.

Oh, and I've taken the liberty of Front Paging this thread: www.aoaforums.com

[robbie]

Originally Posted by Gizmo

Feel free to submit an article for publication with us: $25 for qualifying articles that we accept for publication. You can learn the details here.

Beat me too it!! I just came back to this thread to post that!!!

[ccperf721p]

Front paged, Sweet.. I'll continue to do up the articles, they will get better as time goes by. I can't accept money for the articles though. If I had to pay for the information I wouldn't have it, so I pass it on for free as well..

[ccperf721p]

I gave the guide a quick run on XP64 to make sure I wrote it right. Works fine. Can also be used in Vista 32 or 64 to run WinXP and all of it's programs..