SMP2 preview client (v 6.30)

Flathead74 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 29, 2010 4:03 am

SMP2 preview client (v 6.30)

http://folding.typepad.com/news/2010/07/smp2-preview-client-v-630.html

Vijay Pande, July 28, 2010 wrote:

I've talked about our work with our second generation SMP client (dubbed SMP2). The goals were to make it work much more simply and easier for donors, namely by getting rid of the need for MPI libraries. This is no small feat and the bulk of the credit goes to the Gromacs developers who pushed on this.

We have a SMP2 preview client (v6.30) on our High Performance Client Download Page (scroll to the bottom of the page) as well as updated SMP guide and FAQ. We're still calling this a beta client while we test SMP2. However, this technology is already part of our new v7 client and our plan is for SMP2 to be a standard part of FAH when the v7 client rolls out of beta testing. On a side note, the v7 is currently doing well in QA and I hope we'll have an open beta test of it soon, eg in the next few months if not sooner.

B&C · **Joined:** Mon Jul 05, 2010 1:40 pm **Posts:** 245

The page that link goes to is no longer present or is blank. The 6.30 client is working fine so far for us though. Two installations of it on two separate machines. now at about 15% through and no problems to report.

We are not happy with the very poor PPD results returned by the latest crop of work units though. We were at the brink of 300K PPD, now we're lucky to see 232K. The first work unit the 6.30 client picked up is a p6023 worth a scant 14K PPD with bonus calculations enabled in HFM. We're taking at least half of the power we need to run the farm from our own generator system and this kind of return gives me considerable pause to rethink our priorities when it comes to SMP. Yes, its easy to say that the previous batch of -bigadv work units were the cream of the crop, but a 50% drop is one hell of a disappointment given what we pay to run our farm.

Brad

Flathead74 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 29, 2010 1:44 pm

Brad wrote:

The page that link goes to is no longer present or is blank. The 6.30 client is working fine so far for us though. Two installations of it on two separate machines. now at about 15% through and no problems to report....

It seems to work.

Perhaps it was affected by the server problems that PG/Stanford was experiencing.*

*See the following post:
http://www.fold4life.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=18840#p18840

noorman · **Posted:** Thu Jul 29, 2010 4:54 pm

.

more from Fah-Addict:

Quote:

After a long wait, it's finally here; version 6.30 of the SMP client, which sees the end of MPI support being required in order to run, among other improvements. Installation of the client is easier than before; there is no need to install it via a .BAT file or via the traditional program installation method, and Windows Vista/7 no longer launches an MPI installation in administrator mode, so the UAC should not whinge anymore. Installation of the client to run in service mode should now once again be possible.

Core A1 units are no longer officially distributed, but it's still possible for one to work its way get into your work queue, which might crash the client due to the absence of MPI. It is for this reason that the client is considered to be a beta. Note that you can still keep your MPI installation in order to reduce the risk of crashes.

To install the new client, you can perform either of two approaches:

* Simply replace the currently installed client executable with the new version. You should be able to then manually uninstall MPI (Deino or MPICH).
* Uninstall the old client and all of its components, perform a clean install of the 6.30 client.

You can find download links on the high performance clients page, and the official installation guide can be found here.

Please feel free to leave feedback and report your experiences in the comments section of this article.

B&C · **Joined:** Mon Jul 05, 2010 1:40 pm **Posts:** 245

noorman wrote:

.

more from Fah-Addict:

Quote:

After a long wait, it's finally here; version 6.30 of the SMP client, which sees the end of MPI support being required in order to run, among other improvements. Installation of the client is easier than before; there is no need to install it via a .BAT file or via the traditional program installation method, and Windows Vista/7 no longer launches an MPI installation in administrator mode, so the UAC should not whinge anymore. Installation of the client to run in service mode should now once again be possible.

Core A1 units are no longer officially distributed, but it's still possible for one to work its way get into your work queue, which might crash the client due to the absence of MPI. It is for this reason that the client is considered to be a beta. Note that you can still keep your MPI installation in order to reduce the risk of crashes.

To install the new client, you can perform either of two approaches:

* Simply replace the currently installed client executable with the new version. You should be able to then manually uninstall MPI (Deino or MPICH).
* Uninstall the old client and all of its components, perform a clean install of the 6.30 client.

You can find download links on the high performance clients page, and the official installation guide can be found here.

Please feel free to leave feedback and report your experiences in the comments section of this article.

We found our own way to do it that is more sure of getting rid of the old client and starting up the new one without losing the currently running work unit. We were up late last night doing all 6 of the folders and had no problems with anything except for Stanfords insistence in cramming more p6701's down out throats. Shame there isn't a switch that disallows anything but true -bigadv work units. I'd rather wake up to a sleeping SMP client than seeing it chewing on a p6701.

Brad

Britgeezer · **Posted:** Sun Aug 01, 2010 7:39 pm

B&C wrote:

noorman wrote:

.

more from Fah-Addict:

Quote:

After a long wait, it's finally here; version 6.30 of the SMP client, which sees the end of MPI support being required in order to run, among other improvements. Installation of the client is easier than before; there is no need to install it via a .BAT file or via the traditional program installation method, and Windows Vista/7 no longer launches an MPI installation in administrator mode, so the UAC should not whinge anymore. Installation of the client to run in service mode should now once again be possible.

Core A1 units are no longer officially distributed, but it's still possible for one to work its way get into your work queue, which might crash the client due to the absence of MPI. It is for this reason that the client is considered to be a beta. Note that you can still keep your MPI installation in order to reduce the risk of crashes.

To install the new client, you can perform either of two approaches:

* Simply replace the currently installed client executable with the new version. You should be able to then manually uninstall MPI (Deino or MPICH).
* Uninstall the old client and all of its components, perform a clean install of the 6.30 client.

You can find download links on the high performance clients page, and the official installation guide can be found here.

Please feel free to leave feedback and report your experiences in the comments section of this article.

We found our own way to do it that is more sure of getting rid of the old client and starting up the new one without losing the currently running work unit. We were up late last night doing all 6 of the folders and had no problems with anything except for Stanfords insistence in cramming more p6701's down out throats. Shame there isn't a switch that disallows anything but true -bigadv work units. I'd rather wake up to a sleeping SMP client than seeing it chewing on a p6701.

Brad

Any specific suggestions?

B&C · **Joined:** Mon Jul 05, 2010 1:40 pm **Posts:** 245

Aye sir. Good to see ya back here. Start by killing all instances of smpd.exe in the task manager/processes tab. Then delete the client using the Add/Remove Programs thing in the control panel. Now reboot and double check the task manager to make sure there are no instances of smpd.exe remaining in the processes tab. If that is ok then just clean out the folder the previous client was in except for the previous work unit files and install the new one. If you're running an i7 then make sure you say NO to the "use advanced methods always" item while going through the configuration setup. Get a passkey if you don't have one already, and enter it when prompted. Finally, enter the following option switches when prompted:

-local -bigadv -forceasm -smp

That's all there is to it.

Using -forceasm will help lessen the chances of getting a P6701 that will murder your PPD but it won't effect your -bigadv output at all. No need to declare any number of cores either because this client will take all of them and their 8 threads. No need to mess with it either if you are running a GPU client, or even two, as the impact will not be more than a few percentage points at the most. Totally negligible.

Brad

Britgeezer · **Posted:** Mon Aug 02, 2010 4:27 pm

B&C wrote:

Aye sir. Good to see ya back here. Brad

Thanks Bud,

When I get some time later in this week or next I will try your suggestions.

My systems are still all Q6600-9500 based - no cash to upgrade what works. The recent "upgrades" to my GPU at long last fixed the complaints from my wife about slowness in coming out of slumber or any video - so her PC (24/7/52) is now running GPU @ 60% - extra heat is noticeable though...

B&C · **Joined:** Mon Jul 05, 2010 1:40 pm **Posts:** 245

Try our pooter room with 10 470's in five i7 rigs!! Without full time A/C they wouldn't last more than a few days in there. :bigeyes:

B&C

SMP2 preview client (v 6.30)

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