This thread is dedicated to Linux folding including virtualized Linux folding, native Linux folding, and diskless Linux folding via PXE. All images have been updated to client 6.34 for Core A5 support. These images also support SMP2 and uni-processor work.
To calculate bonus points and PPD based on TPF, go here:
Folding Bonus Point Calculator Image and instructions VMware Images Version 1.5.0 has been updated to use client v6.34 and core A5 which reenables bigadv support under Linux. Version 1.5.0 also supports running SMP2 and one or more instances of the uni-processor client. Initially testing has shown frame times at 30:28 running project 6091 via a 920 @ 3.8 GHz and using -smp 8. As a comparison, the frame times in native Linux using the same configuration are at 29:53.
VMware disk images:
VMware Folding Thanks to wb488641 and braindancer for providing file mirror locations. Thanks to gotspeed for making the torrent. Thank you to CBT over at foldingforum.org for mirroring the v1.1 image file.
VMWare Player Download VMWare Player 3.0 Use the original version 3.0 for 8-core support via the i7. Newer versions appear to have a 4-core restriction.
Virtualbox Folding Virtualbox Folding Native Folding Native Linux Folding PXE Folding Folding@Home && BOINC - PXE / TFTP Network Boot Image Backup scripts Folding backup scripts provided by TheCrazyCanuck (see further down the thread for more info)
Folding Backup Scripts Folding Backup Questions Link Thanks to Shane @ EVGA for hosting the file and thanks to TheCrazyCanuck for spending the time writing the backup scripts and instructions.
Utilities Qfix - Linux 64-bit build - Source (
Link 1 -
Link 2)
7-Zip offers much better compression options than using Zip. The compression program can be found here:
7-zip Installation These instructions apply to VMware but the web and client configuration also should work for Virtualbox and the native Linux image.
SimC33 put together a guide with images of the setup configuration including command line configuration. His guide can be found here:
http://forums.evga.com/tm.aspx?m=187308 SimC's guide covers how to setup via the command line. The guide below covers how to setup the folding client to auto-start via the web.
1) Enabled VT in BIOS and install VMWare Player 3.0 with the default options. Version 3.0.1 is limited to 4-cores. Make sure to use version 3.0 for 8-core support.
2) Download and uncompress the image. Put the file anywhere you like as long as there is at least 8GB free storage.
3) Startup VMWare Player.
4) Click Open a Virtual Machine on the right-side of the VMware window. Here is a screenshot:
5) Go to the location where you put the image and double click on the Linux64_FAH.vmx file. In you decide to edit the vmx file, make sure to leave the number of CPUs at 8 otherwise you will not be able to get bigadv work. Double click on the name "Linux64_FAH" to start the virtual machine.
6) The following screenshot shows where to grab the web address from the virtual machine console highlighted in white.
Enter that web address to setup the client. The following screenshot shows the web configuration. Enter your Username and team. Enter your passkey if you plan to run bigadv. Select the clients and numbers of cores you would like to use. The number of penguins on the top of the window indicates how many CPU processors the virtual machine has detected.
Get a passkey here 
Click the Help button to review what the other options do. The rest of the options are optional. Click Submit and the system will reboot automatically if you have the Reboot on Submit option checked. After reboot, the folding client will be up and running and will begin to download a new work unit.
7) To setup folding progress monitoring via HFM.net, follow the instructions provided by the virtual machine. The instructions are highlighted in blue. Here is a screenshot as an example based on those instructions:
FahMon and Fahspy can also be used for monitoring.
System information:
Disable web configuration command: web disable
To login via console 3-6:
Login: fah
Password: fah1234
Access multiple consoles: ALT+F1 - F6
Shutdown command:
shutdown -h now Reboot command:
reboot Additional Information and Configuration Options Bonus point requirements 1) At least 10 Core A3 (SMP2 or Bigadv) work units must be completed before qualifying for bonus points.
2) At least 80% of Core A3 work units must be completed successfully.
3) A passkey must be used.
4) Once other requirements are met, the bigadv work units must be completed by the preferred deadline.
GNU License The Linux image software is covered under the
GNU General Public License Version 2 Folding backup scripts and instructions provided by TheCrazyCanuck TheCrazyCanuck
These files will allow you to backup your FAH contents to your Windows machine every hour. Those of you who have real servers to backup files just tweak the username, password, and location accordingly. These files also take care of backing up the ramdrive if you happen to use it. The reason why you would want to backup every hour is because if the FAH client restarts early then you might loose days worth of work that is either not backed up or has been backed up and replaced by another backup.
The hourly backups also resync the clock just in case it was drifting over time. I give you the option of starting up the client with a RAM disk using what Linuxrouter has provided and I give you instructions on how you can retain those contents since they are volatile.
*Disclaimer: I expect anyone who uses this to read the instructions and not complain to me if they loose a WU because they were too lazy to follow instructions. I also take no responsibility for anything you manage to bugger up on the host or VM.*
View original IP configuration information If you missed the original configuration information including the IP address, FahMon setup, and web configuration address, then you can run this command to see that information again:
info
Troubleshooting Solution for client error "Could not connect to Primary Assignment Server for ID" (Credit to pgmoney for solution) The virtual machine needs an IP on the network in order to access the Internet and the folding servers. If on startup the IP is missing in the notification, then this configuration change may give the virtual machine access to the network.
1) Open VMWare and select Linux64_FAH but do not start the virtual machine
2) Click "Edit virtual machine settings"
3) Click on Network Adapter
4) Change Network Connection from Bridged to NAT
5) Click OK and start the virtual machine
Advanced Options SSH / Screen Session Setup (Optional) For those familiar with SSH, there is also the option to access the virtual machine and FAH client remotely.
Only do this if you are familiar with SSH and feel that your network is adequately
secure.
To enable SSH:
chmod 755 /etc/rc.d/rc.sshd; /etc/rc.d/rc.sshd start
You can now SSH into the virtual machine using the fah login. Make sure your network is
secure first. I would highly recommend setting a new password for the fah account to something more secure using the command: passwd fah. Alternatively, setup a key pair. Use your favorite SSH client. I use Putty in Windows and OpenSSH in Linux.
Setup a screen session:
screen -R -D -S fah
Startup FAH:
./fah6 -bigadv -smp 7
Detach from screen session:
CTRL A + D
Reconnect to the screen session at a later time:
screen -rx fah
Using this method you can login to your virtual machine from another system on the same network or from another site if your network is configured for remote access (VPN) and then join into the screen session again to monitor your FAH client.
Old Forum Thread Link to old forum thread
post edited by linuxrouter - 2011/08/20 20:09:44