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Folding@home Configuration FAQ

Table of Contents

Introduction

The default settings are the recommended settings. If any change results in problems, please revert back to the default setting.

While Folding@home clients will typically run normally at default settings, they can be configured in several different ways. Using these adjustments, you can choose the amount of computing resources you want to donate to FAH, or you can change the behavior of the software in very specific ways. The v6 clients were often configured using switches, (short textual commands) and while the latest F@h software (V7) has an improved graphical interface that offers a lot of configuration flexibility, it also supports switches. Configuration changes including switches can have a significant impact on the FAH client.

By default, V7 will attempt to utilize multiple CPU cores (with an SMP slot) and a GPU for folding. This will use a lot more resources compared to using just a single CPU core. While SMP and GPU folding is much more scientifically productive compared to their uniprocessor counterpart, they should not be run on machines which can tolerate heavy use. If FAH is using too much resources, you can adjust your slot configurations at any time. The Installation Guides may be useful here. Help is always available on our Folding Support Forum.

Note:

Please note that when you participate in Folding@home, these "dials" at the client level can be used to adjust your contributions. Many donors find that tuning these "dials" and their machine configuration can optimize their contribution. Please use only the controls provided by the client and the operating system; do not modify the cores or Folding@home data in any way. Doing so is the equivalent of providing a tainted donation. When we detect such tainted donations, we may remove points awarded, decline further donations by blocking work assignment, or take further action. We greatly appreciate your contributions to Folding@home; please don't devalue your collective work by undermining the scientific results.

General configurations

V7 provides a "Configure" and a "Preferences" button, which provide many options. The Installation Guides may provide additional details and may be helpful to both v6 and V7 clients.

Big Work Units

This setting is typically used by the v6 client, and may be helpful to computers that are several years old. Big Work Units are typically larger in size, either in regard to download size, upload size, RAM requirements, or all of the above. The Control Panel of the GUI-based v6 client offered an checkbox for these larger WUs. The command-line console v6 clients has "small", "normal", and "big" options, (changes can be made using the -config flag) which equates to expected file upload sizes of <5MB, 5-10MB, >5MB, respectively. We do not recommend the BigWU setting for clients with modems, due to the large file sizes involved (and greater potential for transmission problems and WU loss). The availability of this class of WUs is based on the current projects that are running, so there's no guarantee that you will get these WUs all the time.

In the V7 client, these WUs are becoming more standardized as computers grow more powerful and as we study larger and more complex proteins. We do not expect these to be a problem with more modern computers. All SMP WUs are Big WUs.

Switches for v6 and V7

Below we've listed some of the more common switches used for v6 and V7; please see this page for a complete list. The Installation Guides describe how to add these flags. The "Additional Parameters" field of the GUI-based v6 client makes it easier to add switches than by editing a shortcut to the client. If you need further assistance, please ask on the Folding Support Forum.

next-unit-percentage

v6: not applicable
V7: next-unit-percentage     x

V6 and previous clients typically would finish a Work Unit, upload it to us, download a new WU, and begin processing. One of the features new to the V7 client is the ability to download a new WU just before the current one completes. We've found that a download of the next WU at the 99% mark is generally a good balance, but this option allows adjustment. Set x to the percentage value you want, in the range of 90% to 100%, inclusive. 99% is the default.

pause-on-start

v6: (the "prompt for connection" setting is similar)
V7: pause-on-start     true/false

V7 will start automatically at system startup, but this setting will put it in a paused state. It must be started with the "Fold" button to resume processing or download new work.

Advanced methods

v6: -advmethods
V7: client-type     advanced

This switch is not intended for machines where stability or usability is a primary concern (e.g. corporate or education environments). Its use may lead to your client running experimental projects, which will be much less stable or much more complex. We do not suggest this setting for a machine which is not readily administered, as this setting would likely require more donor intervention than any other setting listed here. The availability of this class of WUs is based on the current projects that are running, so there's no guarantee that you will get these WUs all the time. PPD for these WUs is often the same as normal WUs.

When we begin new simulation projects, they are carefully rolled out using a Quality Assurance (QA) protocol which involves internal testing, testing by the Beta Team, release under Advanced Methods, before a final full deployment across all of Folding@home. This gradual rollout is to try to keep problematic WUs and software from getting released and to allow donors to have some choice in terms of how bleeding edge they’d like to be. The Advanced Method option tells the client to request WUs from projects which have past most -- but not all -- of their stability testing. Please use this option carefully, and report any problems you encounter to the appropriate section of the Folding Support Forum.

Big Advanced

v6: -bigadv
V7: client-type     bigadv

In 2009 we (lead by Dr. Kasson) introduced a special WU category called "bigadv", intended for some of the most powerful computers participating in Folding@home. Currently, bigadv WUs require a minimum of sixteen CPU cores and they have very tight completion deadlines. They are very high scientific priority, and are so computationally demanding that we could not run them anywhere else on Folding@home. They also consume much more RAM and Internet bandwidth, but in return we've added a 20% increase in point value on top of the existing bonus points system.

How to change options (such as flags)

This section describes how to add or change a client or slot option, also known as a flag or a switch, such as forceasm or advmethods. This procedure assumes expert knowledge of the V7 Folding@home software, and familiarity with the list of the v6 to V7 flag changes.

The recommended procedure for adding or changing a client or slot option is through the FAHControl interface. Options can be set globally (for all slots) or set locally (for each slot). For example, all slots can fold for one specific team number, or each slot can fold for a different team number. Local (per slot) settings are configured on the Slots tab. Global (all slot) options are configured on the Expert tab. And many options work as either a local setting, or a global setting. As example, the client-type option with a value of advanced can be set for one slot, or all slots. But please be careful not to set both, as the resulting behavior may be unwanted.

Note: Options can be added manually by editing the FAHClient configuration file. However, this is risky as incorrect settings or typing mistakes may cause the current work unit to abort, the client to crash, or future points to be credited to someone other than you.

Customize One Slot (Local setting)

Open FAHControl and click on the Novice display mode button near the top right (see figure 1).

Figure 1

Select Expert from the drop-down list.

The FAHControl interface screen will change to the more informative Expert display mode (see figure 2).

Figure 2

Click the Configure button (top left).

The Configure window and Connection tab are displayed by default (see figure 3).

Figure 3

Select the Slots tab.

The current Folding Slots are listed (see figure 4).

Figure 4

Select a Folding Slot to modify, and click the Edit button.

The Configure Folding Slot screen is displayed (see figure 5).

Figure 5

Click the Add button.

The Edit Options window is displayed (see figure 6).

Figure 6

Enter the Name of the option (flag or setting) to change. Enter the Value for that option. The example of client-type of advanced is shown (see figure 7). This is the new V7 setting equivalent to the v6 -advmethods flag.

Figure 7

Click OK.

Repeat as needed to add additional slot options, or click OK and then Save to save the changes and return to the main FAHControl screen.

Note: Depending on the option changed, FAHControl may need to be closed and opened again for the option setting change to take affect. Additionally, the setting change may not take affect until the next work unit.

Customize All Slots (Global setting)

Open FAHControl and click on the Novice display mode button near the top right (see figure 1).

Figure 1

Select Expert from the drop-down list.

The FAHControl interface screen will change to the more informative Expert display mode (see figure 2).

Figure 2

Click the Configure button (top left).

The Configure window and Connection tab are displayed by default (see figure 3).

Figure 3

Select the Expert tab.

The Extra client options and Extra core options sections are shown (see figure 4).

Figure 4

Depending on the option to be changed, click the Add button in either the Extra client options section, or the Extra core options section.

Note: V7 options are typically set in the Extra client options section, while older client and fahcore options are set in the Extra core options section.

The Edit Options window, or the Edit Core Option window is displayed (see figure 5).

Extra client options <-- Figure 5 --> Extra core options

For an Extra client option, enter the Name of the option (flag or setting) to change. Enter the Value for that option. The example of client-type set to advanced is shown (see figure 6).

For an Extra core option, which are older flags passed directly to the fahcore, only that exact flag is entered. There is no option name to enter, only the flag value. The example -forceasm is shown (include the dash) (see figure 6).

Extra client options <-- Figure 6 --> Extra core options

Repeat as needed to add additional client or core options. Or click OK and then Save to save the changes and return to the main FAHControl screen.

Note: Depending on the option changed, FAHControl may need to be closed and opened again for the option setting change to take affect. Additionally, the setting change may not take affect until the next work unit.

For More Information, Please See:

• FAQ FAQ Index
• Installation and configuration guides for Windows, Linux, or Macintosh
• Folding Support Forum

Last Updated on March 14, 2013, at 09:56 PM