Team 40051 - Folding

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I just added a link to Folding@Home to my website <A HREF="http://www.jb-controls.com" target="_new">here</A>. Come by and have a look as well, see what I have on the go.

XP2800+, Abit NF7, 1GB Dual-Channel DDR333, ATI R9800PRO 128MB, TT PurePower 420W, LG DVD+-R/RW
 
Hi Sparky and Pentak,

Really it's pretty easy. Just go to this site
<A HREF="http://folding.stanford.edu" target="_new">http://folding.stanford.edu</A>. It explains what the protein folding is about and as you can see Sparky has figured it all by himself (and welcome).

You <b>download</b> the software version you would like to run:
...1) Gui
...2) Console
or 3) Screen saver

You <b>install</b> it. You <b>configure</b> it, making yourself part of <b>team 40051</b>. You run it when appropriate. Some people run 24/7, some just use the screen saver and some give a portion of their cpu for the job.

Sparky, also be careful about running this stuff at work unless you have permission. Lots of companies don't like you using their equipment for unauthorized purposes.

Good luck and I hope we see ur results.

The loving are the daring!<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Flinx on 12/08/04 04:31 PM.</EM></FONT></P>
 
Well i just downloaded it

<A HREF="http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_view.php?run=685743290" target="_new">40k in aquamark 3
</A>P4b2.4@2.8||1024mb DDR@392mhz||9800pro@420/740||Viewsonic UltraBrite 19"||Panisonic DVD-RW
 
----- Welcome to Pukepile and others !!! ---


Today has been an interesting day. We had a fellow come into the chat wanted to look at the sexy model for the Xmas Suggestions (heck no that was me, hehe) He wanted 4 screens on his computer (I just want the model) cause he trades stocks and needs the continuous update.

We gained another couple of places. This is going way faster than I thought. We've left <b>"neonfrog", "Firefly" and "LeForumTeam" behind</b>. Talking about behind. I looked who is sneaking up on us and I think I'd like some iron pants. <b>Dalhousie</b> (University?) is taking a hard run at our backsides. They are presently 80 places back but can catch us 18 days. HELP!!!

Not far ahead of us we have <b>Mac4ever</b> and the world renown <b>Moore Hall Truckes & Assoc.</b> (anyone know who they are?) We have a chance to overrun <b>Brinkman</b> as well as <b>CarolinaGamers</b>



The loving are the daring!
 
Can you tell me a little about more about this program? What does it utilize? Memory and CPU mainly? or HDs? Also, are there rules to using multiple computers? Do they have to be mine? Also and most importantly, how much bw does it use? If i had say...50-60 p4 3.0 computers running this, would i be making use of a port that might catch the attention of certain people? Other people here have caught their attention using programs that they shouldn't have, and i've had to take them down (god that sounds bad...<grimaces>). So another important question is, is there a way to have this program (man i wish i was running unix/linux in this situation)stop while the computer is in use? Or run only at night, or at certain times...? It may be that i can't help at all, but i'd like some more info before making any sort of decision. I'll probably jump out on those links you've given here when i get a minute. Laters and good luck.
 
The way these work, is you install a program on the computer that connects to the server and downloads a work unit of some sort. Then, folding at home is configurable to run all the time using (your choice)% of cpu, only when you run it, or as a screensaver. The actual download size is probably variable, but usually only a few mb or so. When its done with that work unit, it uploads the results and downloads the next unit. Units can take from minutes to hours to finish depending on lots of things. It's possible that the download may be detected by routers/gateways, so doing it at work where you're not the gateway administrator may be iffy.

I would think you want to get the PC owner's permission before you run the program, but F@H doesn't check or anything...

i've had to take them down (god that sounds bad...<grimaces>).

That depends on who... :evil:

Mike.
 
Something is wrong, yesterday when i was running the program a frame would finish within 6 mins, however now it's taking 30mins, projected time of 1 WU yesterday was 1 day now it's 7, what's wrong? How can i make this go faster?
 
OK, here's where i stand. I'm the sys admin of a small campus, about 200 computers between two buildings. I control the images of the machines here amongst other things, and as long as this program doesn't interfere with functionality in any way, i don't mind using it for a trial period. Now, i do not control the routers/firewalls since this is a state school, both IHETS and the guys at the main office keep track of what hits those units on the way in/out.

What this amounts to i guess, is every 3-6 hours per machine would download a xMB file. Hrm then thats alot of BW being used, to work, those machines would need to be staggered, and even then, while it might not decrease bw enough that people have trouble using the internet for basic uses, it would definately show up in the firewall. The ware they use to connect with the firewall, can give graphical representations per ip of bw and to where. So over a week, that class will be at the top of that chart for whatever the standford ip is. I guess i hoped they would have a file that would be smaller. If they really are dealing with so many large files, they've gotta have all kinds of bw at their disposal. Hrm. Can i get some ideas of how large the files you guys are downloading? Maybe i could do a small room, one of the old CAD labs or something if they are in the MBs.

If i do decide to do this...I'll definately try it out on one computer or maybe two first...to see if i attract any attention, then we'll see from there.



<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by apesoccer on 12/09/04 03:28 PM.</EM></FONT></P>
 
Hi Pentak,

Thanks for the contributions to date. It seems that there are different molecules to process and depending on the type of problems you get different run characteristics.

If you look around on <A HREF="http://folding.stanford.edu" target="_new">http://folding.stanford.edu</A> you will find that the deadlines for problems range from 3 days to 65 days. That means one problem can be 20 times as large as another.

Also in my own experience I have seen a "frame: go from 1 second to several minutes.

So don't worry be happy.. its another problem (challenge) and you're helping.

Flinx.

The loving are the daring!
 
Hi ApeSoccer,

Before you do anything like that you should be very sure that you have <b>WRITTEN PERMISSION</b> to deploy this software on hardware you don't own. People have gotten fired for unauthorized use of company equipment for projects like these (happened for SETI I believe).

As far as problem file size goes. I have seen a few file sizes about 1MB (856kB for my present one). I don't know how much it sends back to the server. Also, there is a setting about file sizes and I said I don't care if the size is big.

This seems to represent anywhere from a few hours to a few 10's of hours of work on an XP2500.

IBM is trying to get behind these types of efforts, like "Folding" and "Mersenne Prime", to give them some legitimacy as well as social and scientific value. I wouldn't push too hard at work but you might look into it maybe even get your institue on the map. Many other schools contribute ... even elementary schools.
<A HREF="http://www.planetary.org/news/2004/worldcommunitygrid_1124.html" target="_new">http://www.planetary.org/news/2004/worldcommunitygrid_1124.html</A>
<A HREF="http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org/projects_showcase/projects_showcase.html" target="_new">http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org/projects_showcase/projects_showcase.html</A>
<A HREF="http://www.c-enter.hu/center/0235279.html" target="_new">http://www.c-enter.hu/center/0235279.html</A>


The loving are the daring!
 
F@H use of network bandwidth is quite small, 1.2-1.5MB for cores (one time downloads) and Work Units range from a few hundred KB to under 5MB.

Those downloads would be staggered since WUs greatly vary in complexity and size, larger WUs require more computing time so the machine crushing them would connect to Stanford's servers only a couple of times per week to get a new WU.

I don't think Stanford's IPs will attract that much attention considering the low bandwidth and legitimate .edu domain but it would be safe to let the IT guys in charge of the firewall know about F@A.



Watercooled Mobile Barton 2500+ @ 2.6GHz (200MHz x 13)
Abit NF7-S V2.0
2x 512MB of Samsung TCC4
Sapphire Radeon 9700 128MB @ 360/310
2x Maxtor 40GB 7200RPM RAID-0
 
To have permission would be best, however I doubt that anyone is going to care anyhow. I have asked at my school and know one cares as long as its not somethning like porn or anything illegal. As far as Bandwith, im not an expert, but I really doubt that they would ever even notice. I'll check the FAQ section to make sure, but I think that the only time that your computer needs to connect to the server is when you do the Work Unit download and when each Work unit finishes. As far as it interfering with other applications, you can certainly configure the percent of CPU usage that the program will use. If you did need an excuse or reason to use this on the campus computers, you may simply print out the details of the project. In Academia I can't see why anyone would not want to contribute to a valid scientific project like this one.
 
Really good to see people are joining in. I wish THG could put a link on their website, like quite a few others do.

:tongue: <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/priyajeet/fing.jpg" target="_new"><i><font color=red>Very funny, Scotty.</font color=red><font color=blue> Now beam down my clothes.</font color=blue></i></A> :tongue:
 
One more thing I should mention in this thread, which I did in the other. I do this. For this you need the console version, not the screen saver or the graphics version:

For those lucky users with dual-processor machines or rigs with hyperthreaded P4s, you can run two instances of the Console version simultaneously. It's rather involved, but well worth it to see both of your CPUs (or both of your virtual CPUs) being utilized to their fullest. These instructions assume you are running Win2K Pro or XP Pro.

1) First, create two separate directories and dump FAH3Console.exe in each one.

2) Then, you're going to have to make a shortcut to each FAH3Console.exe. Paste the Shortcuts into the C😀ocuments and SettingsAll UsersStart MenuProgramsStartup folder so that both FAH consoles will startup every time the system boots up.

3) Right click on each shortcut you've created. You'll see the "Target" line: "C😛rogram Filesetc.etc.FAH3Console.exe"

Now, you MUST add the -local flag in the shortcut, just like in games to get console.

4) Now, you're almost set. Double click on one of the shortcuts you created. The first time you do, you'll be asked to configure FAH. Aside from your username and Team No. (select team No. 40051 for Team THGC), one of the configuration options is to set the Machine ID for the first FAH3Console.exe program to "1" (when you get to the point where we run the second FAH3Console.exe, you'll need to set the second one's Machine ID to "2").

5) Now that one instance of FAH is up and running, go into your task manager and hit the "processes" tab. You'll see FAH3Console.exe there. Right click on it and choose "Set Affinity" and set it for CPU 0 only (uncheck CPU 1). You'll also see FAHCore_xx.exe running. Set that for CPU 0 too.

6) Now you're ready to run the second console (again, launch it by clicking on your second created shortcut). When you configure it, set it for a different machine ID ("2").

7) In take manager, you'll set the Affinity for your second instance of FAH3Console.exe for CPU 1. Now, this will be tricky as you'll see two FAH3Console.exe's running. You can check which one is the first one by checking the affinity. The new one will have both CPU 0 and 1 checked, while the first one was just set to CPU 0.

8) Do the same thing with the second FAHCore_xx.exe. Set it to CPU 1 only.

9) Now you're running two instances of FAH, and they are taking full advantage of your processors.

10) As long as you don't close out the Console programs, they'll remember their affinity. If you close them, or restart or reboot your computer, you'll need to go back and set the affinity again.

:tongue: <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/priyajeet/fing.jpg" target="_new"><i><font color=red>Very funny, Scotty.</font color=red><font color=blue> Now beam down my clothes.</font color=blue></i></A> :tongue:
 
cool 😎

:tongue: <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/priyajeet/fing.jpg" target="_new"><i><font color=red>Very funny, Scotty.</font color=red><font color=blue> Now beam down my clothes.</font color=blue></i></A> :tongue:
 
Vijay Pande (Phd in 3 fu*king years !) - the bossof the project
[Video]
<A HREF="http://murl.microsoft.com/videos/xerox/Forum2004/pande_OnDemand_100_100K_320x240.htm" target="_new">http://murl.microsoft.com/videos/xerox/Forum2004/pande_OnDemand_100_100K_320x240.htm</A>

<b><font color=red>Do you all know that your folding is helping in BSE(Mad Cow), alzheimer's and Parkinsons disease reasearch</b></font color=red>

:tongue: <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/priyajeet/fing.jpg" target="_new"><i><font color=red>Very funny, Scotty.</font color=red><font color=blue> Now beam down my clothes.</font color=blue></i></A> :tongue: <P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by priyajeet on 12/10/04 02:09 AM.</EM></FONT></P>
 
Question for you...or anybody else for that matter. How long does it take to complete a Work Unit? I've been running for a couple days now and still haven't completed one. I'm at like frame 284 of 400 with a day and a half left to go.

I guess it depends on the processing power behind it? The main machine I'm running it on is a 1.4 Mobile Pentium, as well as on a 1GHz server and a 500MHz server w/512MB SD RAM.

XP2800+, Abit NF7, 1GB Dual-Channel DDR333, ATI R9800PRO 128MB, TT PurePower 420W, LG DVD+-R/RW
 
It can take from 1-2 days all the way upto 10-15 days, depending upon samples and computer speed.
Goto the stats page, see project summary for info on samples.

:tongue: <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/priyajeet/fing.jpg" target="_new"><i><font color=red>Very funny, Scotty.</font color=red><font color=blue> Now beam down my clothes.</font color=blue></i></A> :tongue: