error10

NOTE: This VMware appliance should be considered "Release Candidate". Testers are welcome; please be prepared to contribute bug fixes!

So why ANOTHER VMware setup guide? I looked at the existing solutions and didn't like them much. They were too bloated and required a bunch of command line crap which most people don't want to deal with. So I built my own VMware virtual appliance to automate as much as possible and cut down the size a bit. As a result my appliance is half the size of other appliances, and has more features.

What You Need

You must have a 64-bit CPU which supports Intel Virtualization Technology or AMD Virtualization Technology in order to run this virtual machine. You need to have Virtualization Technology (aka Vanderpool Technology) and Execute Disable Bit (aka XD or NX) both enabled in your BIOS.

Since VMware is being used, please see the system requirements for VMware for specific information on what processor features are required.

Each virtual machine you use will require 384 MB of RAM and 1 GB of hard drive space.

Quick Start

1. Go get VMware Player 2.0 or later and install it.
2. Download my Folding@Home virtual appliance. (186MB)
3. It will run on 2 cores. Unzip it. If you want to run 2 copies for a quad core CPU, rename the unzipped folder, and then unzip it again, so you have 2 copies.
4. Double click the .vmx file in each folder. The first time you start it, it will ask if you moved or copied it. Answer Copied.
5. It'll ask you for your HTTP proxy, F@H username and passkey (passkey is optional).
6. It'll restart, then grab a work unit and start folding!

Start for Total Noobs

1. This virtual appliance requires VMware Player 2.0 or later; VMware Server 2.0 or later; or VMware Workstation 6.0 or later. If you aren't using any other virtual machines, just get VMware Player; it's free and easy to install.

2. Download my Folding@Home virtual appliance. (186MB) It's shipped as a ZIP file.

3. Unzip it and you will find several files in the OCN Folding@Home folder. Since each instance of VMware can only use two CPU threads, you will need more than one copy to fully utilize a quad core CPU. If you intend to run two or more copies, then rename the folder, and unzip the original file again, until you have one folder for each copy of the virtual machine you want to use. For instance, to fully utilize a Core i7 processor, you would make four folders, each containing a copy of the virtual machine.

4. In each folder, double click the virtual machine configuration file. This is the file with three squares for an icon, and has a file extension .vmx (NOT .vmxf or anything else). Keep in mind that Windows probably hides file extensions from you. The first time you start the virtual machine, you will be asked if you moved or copied the virtual machine. Answer Copied. If you answer incorrectly, the virtual machine may not function correctly, and may prevent other virtual machines from running correctly.



5. The virtual machine will ask you to configure your HTTP proxy, if necessary. Answer No if you don't need an HTTP proxy to access the Web.



Next it will ask you to enter your Folding@Home username and passkey. Most people don't use a passkey, so you can leave it blank. But everyone should have a username.



6. The virtual machine will automatically sets its clock via NTP and restart once it has been configured. It will then grab a work unit and start folding!

FahMon

Yes, you can use FahMon with it. Just open up the \\<ip address>\folding folder for each. (If it gives you trouble, see this post.)

Login and Password

The system is set up with a username of folding and password folding. You do not need to log in to use the system.

Management

If you login, you can issue some commands to manage the virtual machine:

setupfah - This command runs the Folding@Home configuration allowing you to change your F@H username or passkey.
setproxy - This command runs the HTTP proxy configuration.
oneunit - This command tells the virtual machine to finish the current unit it's working on and then shut down.
sudo halt - This command tells the virtual machine to shut down immediately. This is the preferred way to shut down the virtual machine.
sudo reboot - This command restarts the virtual machine.
sudo /etc/init.d/fah stop - Stops the Folding@Home service and leaves the virtual machine running.
sudo /etc/init.d/fah start - Starts the Folding@Home service if it has been stopped.

It shows the Folding@Home log in virtual console 7 (Alt+F7) and has logins available on consoles 1-6 (Alt+F1 through Alt+F6) in case you want to log in. But the system has been stripped way down so some Linux utilities you may be accustomed to are not available.

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The Ice Stone has melted!

I did error10's Windows Challenge and I now am an MCSE: Minesweeper Consultant and Solitaire Expert!

borito4

Dude awsome! Thank much for the guide. rep++

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The AMERICAN Overclockers!

rpm666

Can this be run in Vista/XP or is it just for linux?

I'm guessing for windows since it is VMware+Linux SMP

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DraganUS

So, how much points could I get from my CPU?
Will it influence my GPU ppd. I am asking this becasue I did try SMP ubuntu and my points for two of my 88GT's went down 3000 average when SMP was working in Ubuntu.

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E1400 100% OC @ 4GHz

error10

It'll run on any platform supported by VMware Player. Which is the whole point.

Yes your GPU PPD will drop, but not likely by much. If you lower the priority for VMware then it will help.

__________________
The Ice Stone has melted!

I did error10's Windows Challenge and I now am an MCSE: Minesweeper Consultant and Solitaire Expert!

error10

Hey kids I just caught a problem. The very first time you run the virtual machine you have about a 50/50 chance of seeing an error like: tail: No such file or directory. F@H is still running but you don't see the log file. I'll fix this later, but you'll see the log file the next time you restart the virtual machine.

__________________
The Ice Stone has melted!

I did error10's Windows Challenge and I now am an MCSE: Minesweeper Consultant and Solitaire Expert!

Hueristic

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I seldom argue my advice, It's free take it or leave it. READ this thread before starting your first build!!!
ALWAYS power up a Mobo Before installing it! Consider Less than helpful posts as Free Bumps.
¡¡¡ʍʇɟ qn1ɔ uoıʇɐıɔǝɹddɐ 939 ʇǝʞɔos ǝɥʇ:
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This goes without saying but
1. If you can't afford to lose it don't mod or OC it.
2. At least read the OP before commenting.
Semper Fi

error10

Ha, I was trying to make it easy enough for you to figure out.

__________________
The Ice Stone has melted!

I did error10's Windows Challenge and I now am an MCSE: Minesweeper Consultant and Solitaire Expert!

onlycodered

Downloading it as we speak. I'll be interested to see how this compares to the specialized Ubuntu version BalWolf put out.

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error10

It works for me. BalWolf's version did not. Enough?

Actually I know this version probably still has problems so I want to hear about those.

__________________
The Ice Stone has melted!

I did error10's Windows Challenge and I now am an MCSE: Minesweeper Consultant and Solitaire Expert!