| Author |
Message |
|
|
|
Hey, since you guys are my team mates, I wanted to let you know of a brand new cloud based system that is giving out cores for free right now. Cores might be the wrong term but that's what I like to call them. I was able to sign up for 15 of them right off the bat but haven't gotten them running yet since I just got them assigned to me. There are no hidden charges, no fees and nothing you need to sign other than an agreement stating you agree to their terms. The only down side I see is that they are all Windows based for now. Sorry no Lineux but they are 64 bit or at least that's what I signed up for.
As for processor speed, the site claims that these are i7 processors but again I haven't test driven them yet. Once you get a "core" assigned to you it is dedicated to you and not a share process like most other cloud based servers.
Here's the downside. They are only doing this as a free offer for the next couple of months. Then it will convert back to some kind of pay as you go system. I read about it the other night and thought "man this is too good to be true" and it may be but hey it's worth a shot.
Can you imagine all of us getting 15 extra cores up and running by the 5th !!!
Please email me for the details (I don't want to give them out due to some spying eye balls) and I will email you back with the address and other info I have.
Rick |
|
|
|
|
|
Rick,
Thanks for the details. I'll try the set-up. Are you going to get the VPN option? Might be worth it to make managing it simpler. Read the fine print. This is a total loss leader scenario.
I'll email you my set-up procedures.
-C |
|
|
|
|
|
All hail the Mighty Razorback!!
TheDawgz promise to never refer to you as an over grown pork roast again!
We are doing back flips, front flips and even a few barrel rolls over this.
Gonna seriously singe some bovine hair at the Cow-B-Q.
It all looks fairly straight forward, but TheDawgz may need to give one of the North American rats a call later to give us a hand getting this set up since time is short and we haven't messed with Windows in a long time.
TheDawgz are gonna start workin' on a new recipe for a Southwestern Cow-B-Q sauce!!!
EDIT: Looks like the are limiting you to 12 "cores" now - TheDawgz just received our confirmation email.
____________
There's someone in our head but it's not us. |
|
|
|
|
|
Which "instance type" option do I select?
____________
Oh Bondage? Up Yours.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogypBUCb7DA
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hey C, I'm definitely going to be using the VPN option. It will makes things a ton easier. But I was referring to the help on that and it's not going to do what I thought. Still not having to mess with each core will be nice.
Thanks TheD's - I will be more than happy to help you as well if you want some. The setup is pretty straight forward. Getting boinc loaded looks to be a little of a challenge but shouldn't be too hard. Prpnet is going to be a breeze it looks like. Sorry bout the posted 15 that was my bad. It is 12 cores not 15. Guess I misread in my excitement.
Also, it's not an i7 as they said at least not a full i7 so to speak. Cause that would be like a ton of "cores". However I do know for sure that the cores I'm assigned are only being used by me. I am running a test on them just to see if they geared down any and so far they are still running the same. I have a small program I used to benchmark systems and it's very cpu intensive so it's a good test. |
|
|
|
|
Which "instance type" option do I select?
Tim, I choose option 2. Not sure why they had all those options available but 2 seemed more applicable to cpu intensive processes. Good luck. |
|
|
|
|
Which "instance type" option do I select?
Tim, I choose option 2. Not sure why they had all those options available but 2 seemed more applicable to cpu intensive processes. Good luck.
Option 2. looks better indeed.
____________
|
|
|
|
|
|
OK that is helpful. Thanks gang.
____________
Oh Bondage? Up Yours.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogypBUCb7DA
|
|
|
|
|
|
Now that the Razorback found us all industrial cow cookers - TheDawgz figured they had better work on the rest of the Cow-B-Q infrastructure.
So we found a really good rental rate for one of those big industrial wood chippers. We figure that it will make hamburgering the cows that much easier.
TheHawgz have contracted out the post party clean up to some of their friends (those oinkers will eat just about anything even remotely organic).
Still looking for an industrial patty press and bun warmer.
We will keep you all advised ;o)
Almost forgot - if you need to add action items to our list just let us know!!!
____________
There's someone in our head but it's not us.
|
|
|
|
|
Which "instance type" option do I select?
Tim, I choose option 2. Not sure why they had all those options available but 2 seemed more applicable to cpu intensive processes. Good luck.
Option 2. looks better indeed.
Just to do some benchmarking, I selected option 3 for comparison. The increased memory was appealing.
____________
|
|
|
|
|
As for processor speed, the site claims that these are i7 processors but again I haven't test driven them yet.
Well I wouldn't say i7, but they are good enough.
Let the Horde feast on the Cows!! |
|
|
|
|
|
Update on getting Boinc installed.
Well, I've run into a small snag getting Boinc installed. I had this same issue trying to get it installed on a server so I think I can work around it but Boinc thinks these cores are server based not workstation. I did read that one of the options on the initial setup was for server setup and I think I checked that. So if you haven't already gotten your cores don't choose them as a server. I'm not 100% sure that's where my issue is right now but I'm thinking it might be.
As for the work around, when I installed it on my real server I had to find a valid install on one of my pc's and copy the files over to boinc folders on the server and then point the files to the folder.
Sure hope I let ya'll know soon enough
RR |
|
|
|
|
|
It is worth the effort to get running. Not surprising there are teething troubles.
____________
Oh Bondage? Up Yours.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogypBUCb7DA
|
|
|
|
|
|
So I presume I want to use the "12-dodeca" options for installing and starting PRPnet? I'm not a windows person but I presume it works pretty much the same as on linux/mac command line.
I'm guessing it's 12 "threads" (HT on) if they are talking i7. Anyway thanks for the heads up!
Gary |
|
|
|
|
So I presume I want to use the "12-dodeca" options for installing and starting PRPnet? I'm not a windows person but I presume it works pretty much the same as on linux/mac command line.
I'm guessing it's 12 "threads" (HT on) if they are talking i7. Anyway thanks for the heads up!
Gary
I was reading on a separate hardware forum about HT toggling. I guess a ton of people are hearing about this service. Anyway, HT toggling is not supposed to be an option but it appears there is a way around it. It's really circuitous however. I'll try to figure this out and will advise you via email with my results.
|
|
|
|
|
Which "instance type" option do I select?
Tim, I choose option 2. Not sure why they had all those options available but 2 seemed more applicable to cpu intensive processes. Good luck.
Option 2. looks better indeed.
I chose Option #2 as well. But we might want to see if Gary has time for some benchmarking. Gary? Got time before the 5th? |
|
|
|
|
Which "instance type" option do I select?
Tim, I choose option 2. Not sure why they had all those options available but 2 seemed more applicable to cpu intensive processes. Good luck.
Option 2. looks better indeed.
I chose Option #2 as well. But we might want to see if Gary has time for some benchmarking. Gary? Got time before the 5th?
I figured out the HT toggle for option 2. What a pain. Anyway, a very quick comparison, but the results are inconclusive. I've done some Low Port WUs run with HT on in the cloud and about the same number HT off. WU runtimes are about 46 seconds with HT off and right about twice that with HT on. I also ran the Option 3 (with HT on, only) and the increased memory didn't seem to help... I don't think LLR is memory-bound.
Bottom line is that it seems like just taking the option 2 default setup is perfectly fine. Nice to have another 1.5 i7's at my command for free, at least for a little while. Go AtP!!!
--Gary |
|
|
|
|
|
Dang it this is really frustrating. I've been able to install the prpnet folder and even gotten it to go look for wu's BUT once I get them I keep getting a fatal error. I've been working on this now for a couple of hours. I've even tried backing down the version to one I know is working on my other systems and no luck. I'm pretty sure I did something wrong on the initial setup of the cores. Any help or ideas would be appreciated. |
|
|
|
|
|
Count me out on giving help, I am waiting for one of you wizz kids to get it to work and then let me know!
____________
Welcome to Holland
|
|
|
|
|
|
The cloud jobs are running, about 85-90 seconds each. That is, when I can get work. The server is under siege... I get the occasional SGS work instead.
--Gary |
|
|
|
|
The cloud jobs are running, about 85-90 seconds each. That is, when I can get work. The server is under siege... I get the occasional SGS work instead.
--Gary
Not bad.
____________
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finally figured out my prpnet issue. I will have the cores running in a few. Yeah man this is great! |
|
|
DoES Volunteer tester
 Send message
Joined: 11 Oct 08 Posts: 784 ID: 30382 Credit: 75,064,140 RAC: 0
             
|
|
There are clouds in the southern hemisphere --- giving them away on 30 day free trials down here -- not overly powerful (you have to pay for the big units)but they are working fine
____________
Member of AtP
Shown here is an Australian native rat (Ratus Kickarsus) |
|
|
mfbabb2 Volunteer tester
 Send message
Joined: 10 Oct 08 Posts: 510 ID: 30360 Credit: 21,910,511 RAC: 207
                       
|
|
Those are "VIRTUAL" cores (actually several per REAL core). To get exclusive use of the REAL core, you have to pay the money.
____________
Murphy (AtP)
|
|
|
|
|
Those are "VIRTUAL" cores (actually several per REAL core). To get exclusive use of the REAL core, you have to pay the money.
This isn't the Amazon product it is a different one which Rick found. I'll send you a PM with details.
____________
Oh Bondage? Up Yours.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogypBUCb7DA
|
|
|
|
|
|
A sneaky little peak over at DPC reveals that they think the secret weapon is DoES despite my letting slip a hint.
____________
Oh Bondage? Up Yours.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogypBUCb7DA
|
|
|
DoES Volunteer tester
 Send message
Joined: 11 Oct 08 Posts: 784 ID: 30382 Credit: 75,064,140 RAC: 0
             
|
A sneaky little peak over at DPC reveals that they think the secret weapon is DoES despite my letting slip a hint.
Well I have been called a lot of things before but never a "secret weapon"
I ended up with 43 cores (including the P3) crunching -- I had counted on doing about 2M credits for the day but connection issues stuffed that idea.
____________
Member of AtP
Shown here is an Australian native rat (Ratus Kickarsus) |
|
|
|
|
|
Well now that the bbq is done I can see if I can't get the boinc stuff to run on these new cores. Of course the "free" period is almost up. I'm trying to see how close the next challenge is to the expiration date. I may be able to run a couple of days with the new cores.
Who knew that all this computing power was available without out ever touching it. |
|
|
|
|
Well now that the bbq is done I can see if I can't get the boinc stuff to run on these new cores. Of course the "free" period is almost up. I'm trying to see how close the next challenge is to the expiration date. I may be able to run a couple of days with the new cores.
Who knew that all this computing power was available without out ever touching it.
I thought the free trial period was at least a month.... see the first post in this thread and I thought that's what I saw on the sign-up page. That would take us through the end of the Leonids challenge. What a nice bump!
--Gary |
|
|
|
|
Well now that the bbq is done I can see if I can't get the boinc stuff to run on these new cores. Of course the "free" period is almost up. I'm trying to see how close the next challenge is to the expiration date. I may be able to run a couple of days with the new cores.
Who knew that all this computing power was available without out ever touching it.
I thought the free trial period was at least a month.... see the first post in this thread and I thought that's what I saw on the sign-up page. That would take us through the end of the Leonids challenge. What a nice bump!
--Gary
You are right. However, my account is telling me the free period isn't that long. I need to ask their support about that. I didn't sign up that much sooner than you. |
|
|
|
|
|
Gotta love it when a plan comes together :) |
|
|
|
|
|
Dear bovine masses,
We want to thank you for reading our forum. As we know you know we know you are. (ha translate that).
Anyway, here's the deal. We have perfected the art of "cow tipping" and are now watching the fruits of our labor. It's really quite a sight seeing all you cows laying over :)
As for our secret, well, we must keep it for just a tad longer. |
|
|
DoES Volunteer tester
 Send message
Joined: 11 Oct 08 Posts: 784 ID: 30382 Credit: 75,064,140 RAC: 0
             
|
Dear bovine masses,
We want to thank you for reading our forum. As we know you know we know you are. (ha translate that).
Anyway, here's the deal. We have perfected the art of "cow tipping" and are now watching the fruits of our labor. It's really quite a sight seeing all you cows laying over :)
As for our secret, well, we must keep it for just a tad longer.
Plausable deniability is the term I think
____________
Member of AtP
Shown here is an Australian native rat (Ratus Kickarsus) |
|
|
|
|
|
Guess we need to take a vote or not depending on your mood :)
When / if do we let the cat out of the bag cause you know it's gonna try to come back and catch us.
It's been great making the unbelievable believable :) |
|
|
|
|
Guess we need to take a vote or not depending on your mood :)
When / if do we let the cat out of the bag cause you know it's gonna try to come back and catch us.
It's been great making the unbelievable believable :)
Well, I think it is time to be honest about this. I think by now everyone knows that the free servers are not i7-2600K's. They are only i7-2500K's. |
|
|
|
|
|
My free server appears to be an i9-4900K 14nm Haswell-architecture prototype. It is running (stock) at 6.0GHz under LN2.
Oh wait that was just a dream. :-)
Dang, I have to get better dreams. How do I get in touch with that "bad idea t-shirts" girl?
Well, anyway, back to reality. It's good to have the cloud there to help for the Leonids. I'm going to start a spreadsheet to keep track of the comparative cloud vs. non-cloud contributions for each AtP 'mate (at least those who've made their computers visible) during the challenge.
--Gary |
|
|
|
|
Well, anyway, back to reality. It's good to have the cloud there to help for the Leonids. I'm going to start a spreadsheet to keep track of the comparative cloud vs. non-cloud contributions for each AtP 'mate (at least those who've made their computers visible) during the challenge.
--Gary
Fantastic :)
A good cup of coffee and a great laugh first thing in the morning. |
|
|
|
|
|
Uh oh. I just got email saying the cloud servers are "down for maintenance, software upgrade; please bear with us" for the next four to six hours. Hopefully that "6 hours" means they will be back for the start of the leonids challenge. Just in time! Although if their IT people are like the ones where I work, it will be twice that. Drat!!!!
--Gary |
|
|
|
|
|
Since the free cloud-cores are going to expire in a week or so, and won't be much use in a GPU-centric challenge such as Winter Solstice anyway , I'm going to look around to see if I can find free GPU-cluster instances anywhere. Amazon wants a bundle for theirs that's for sure. Even with the reduced capability and time-slicing of a free instance somewhere, it could make an impact. It will be hard to find though; about the same chance as finding a dumpster full of GTX590's discarded due to typographical errors on the packaging.
BTW I finished my spreadsheet. It seems the cloud cores helped AtP about as much as expected for the Leonids challenge. I can provide individual details via email if anyone is interested.
--Gary |
|
|