Upgrading SETI@Home: Current Hardware Fundraising Projects

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Message 1208640 - Posted: 21 Mar 2012, 23:48:02 UTC
Last modified: 22 Mar 2012, 0:11:30 UTC



Hello Everyone:

Another new thread for a new set of projects for SETI at Home.

The Basics

How To Donate
Please visit http://www.gpuug.org/catalog. From there, you will be able to donate to our current projects using Paypal, check or money order.

What We Do With Your Money
As we are a 100% volunteer funded and supported organization, we are able to allocated 100% of all donated funds (minus Paypal fees) toward projects which directly benefit SETI at Home.

Thanks to our corporate sponsor NKOL http://www.nkol.net/, we are able to build items such as servers at a steep discount allowing us to stretch our donor's dollars.

Direct SETI Donations
We now offer the ability to donate directly to SETI at Home via the Paypal service. If you would like to donate directly to SETI at Home please visit http://www.gpuug.org/donatecash.

Hardware Donations
You can also donate hardware directly to the project. Please visit http://www.gpuug.org/donatehardware and browse our list of currently needed hardware.

Our Past Projects
Since our inception, through the generosity of our donors we have donated:
1) QTY 1, 4 Drive SATA Dock which has slots to utilize 3TB SATA drives for Astropulse data transportation.
2. QTY 6 3TB Hard Drives for Astropulse data transportation.
3. QTY 4, 2TB SATA Hard Drives (Donated by member Deltoid) for data transportation.
4. QTY 45, 2TB Seagate Hard Drives for:
5. QTY 1, SuperMicro JBOD Array which will house the science database along with other future throughput improvements for SETI at Home. To read more on this please visit: http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/forum_thread.php?id=66635
6. $4295USD in cash via donors that utilized our direct to SETI Paypal feature.
7. QTY 1: PaddyM Server (Upload/Download Server)
8. QTY 1: GeorgeM Server (Astropulse/NTPCKR Server)
9. QTY 1: Battery Backup for GeorgeM's 3ware 9750-4i4e
10: QTY 5: JBOD Backup Hard Drives
11: QTY 1: SETI at Home Desktop Workstation

Our Current Projects
1. SETI at Home Workstation PC: SETI has requested two workstation PC's for the office to replace/upgrade existing hardware. We were able to purchase the first, (Dan's Replacement PC) with existing funds. This fundraiser is for 1 Workstation. Specs will be posted below in this thread. To donate to this fundraiser please visit http://gpuug.org/content/setihome-workstation-pc

2. 10 Hotswap JBOD Hard Drives/Transport Drives: This fundraiser will provide 10 2TB Seagate 64mb 7200RPM hard drives for the JBOD array. These drives will double as transport drives for the SETI at Home Team to transport radio telescope data between the Green Bank Telescope/Arecibo Observatory and the SETI at Home Labs. Should one of the JBOD Drives fail, the team will simply pull a spare drive from this pool to keep uptime at a maximum. To donate to this project please visit: http://gpuug.org/content/setihome-qty-10-jbod-hotswaptransport-2tb-harddrives. If you would like to donate hardware for this project please visit http://gpuug.org/donatehardware.

Useful Links
How to Donate: http://www.gpuug.org/catalog
Past Purchases for SETI with Tracking Info: http://www.gpuug.org/purchases
Payments Paid to SETI at Home for Direct SETI Donations http://www.gpuug.org/donationreports/payments
About Paypal Donations: http://www.gpuug.org/content/about-paypal-donations
About Direct SETI Donations: http://www.gpuug.org/content/direct-donations-setihome
Tax Exempt Status: http://www.gpuug.org/content/tax-exemption-status-information
Forums: http://www.gpuug.org/forum
About Us: http://www.gpuug.org/content/about-gpu-users-group-inc
Staff: http://www.gpuug.org/content/about-gpu-users-group-inc
Mission: http://www.gpuug.org/content/our-mission

________________________________________________________________________________

Current Projects as of the time of this post:

Workstation: Raised: $0 / Goal $975.00
Hot Swap JBOD/Transport Drives QTY 10: Raised $0 / Goal $1410.00


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Message 1208645 - Posted: 21 Mar 2012, 23:52:52 UTC - in response to Message 1208640.  
Last modified: 21 Mar 2012, 23:53:25 UTC

Specs for the 2 Workstations our donors are providing SETI at Home:

1 GIGABYTE GV-N520SL-1GI GeForce GT 520 (Fermi) 1GB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card

1 Intel Core i7-960 Bloomfield 3.2GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80601960

1 Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model KHX1600C9D3K2/4GX

1 Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

1 LITE-ON Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model iHDS118-04 - OEM

1 Shuttle XPC SX58H7-PRO Intel Core i7 processors (Socket 1366) Intel Socket B(LGA1366) Intel X58 none Barebone

________________________________________________________________________

Hot Swap JBOD Drives/Transport Drives for the current project:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148834


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Message 1208648 - Posted: 22 Mar 2012, 0:02:58 UTC - in response to Message 1208645.  

Purchases for SETI at Home for 03/21/2012

Today we purchased, using preexisting funds:

QTY 5: Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s. Total cost: $710.25

These drives will replace the 4 dead on arrival drives from the initial purchase of JBOD drives. The SETI at Home Team will be going through Seagate's Replacement Policy to get the dead drives replaced at which time the replacement drives will serve as transport/hotswap drives.

QTY 1: Shuttle Workstation. This workstation will replace Dan's current PC. The specs for this workstation were specifically requested by the SETI at Home team who requested small, quiet machines. The specs for this machine as well as the additional workstation we're fundraising for SETI at Home can be seen in the post above. Total cost: $974.35.

You can track the progress of these items as they ship their way to SETI at Home by visiting http://www.gpuug.org/purchases.

To donate to our current projects please visit http://www.gpuug.org/catalog/28


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Message 1208811 - Posted: 22 Mar 2012, 13:06:26 UTC - in response to Message 1208640.  

Quoting myself:
We'll be building SETI a few new workstations once we can nail down specifics.

Being a GPUUG donation the workstations should be outfitted with decent GPU crunchers. :)


Specs for the 2 Workstations our donors are providing SETI at Home:

1 GIGABYTE GV-N520SL-1GI GeForce GT 520 (Fermi) 1GB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card

I'm putting my money where my mouth is and donated money to cover those two GPUs. :)
($50 GPU + $10 to cover fees to the 1 PC drive + the same to the General Donations drive)
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Message 1208959 - Posted: 22 Mar 2012, 18:32:27 UTC - in response to Message 1208811.  

Thanks to our generous donors, we're closing in on finishing up the Workstation fundraiser.

Workstation: Raised: $580 / Goal: $ 952.00 : $372 to go
Hot Swap JBOD Drives: Raised: $20 / Goal: $ 1410.00 : $1,390 to go


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Message 1209393 - Posted: 23 Mar 2012, 21:28:34 UTC - in response to Message 1208959.  
Last modified: 23 Mar 2012, 21:31:23 UTC

Few Updates:

1. 3/4 of the packages we've sent to SETI have arrived. They now have 5 replacement JBOD drives so they'll be able to get it up and running (on the front 21 drives) this coming week. They also have Dan's workstation minus the GPU which is slated to arrive on Monday. I bet Dan will up and running on a new machine next week as well.

2. As of yesterday, GeorgeM is alive and running NPTCKR and RFI. PaddyM and the JBOD have been racked as well but due to HP proprietary issues in hooking up to the JBOD we're unable to get them to work in sync together. SETI and the GPU Users Group are working together to try to find a workaround. In the coming month there will likely be a large swap around of various hardware/tasks at SETI in order to best utilize the new hardware. I'll keep everyone updated as I get more information.

3. We're closing in on the additional workstation. We're currently only $172 away from being able to order this machine. Does anyone want to help us finish this one off?

______________________________________________________________________

Current totals:

Workstation: Raised: $780 / Goal: $ 952.00 : $172 to go
Hotswap/Transport Drives: Raised: $20 / Goal: $ 1410.00 : $1,390 to go


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Message 1209401 - Posted: 23 Mar 2012, 21:51:02 UTC

Threw in $150, only $22 to go.

Anyone want to complete this one?


-Dave
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Message 1209432 - Posted: 23 Mar 2012, 23:29:07 UTC - in response to Message 1209401.  

Our donors rock. $22 more and I'll order the necessary parts. Thanks guys!


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Message 1209436 - Posted: 23 Mar 2012, 23:49:58 UTC - in response to Message 1209432.  

Here's $30

Claggy
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Message 1209437 - Posted: 23 Mar 2012, 23:52:44 UTC - in response to Message 1209432.  

Our donors rock. $22 more and I'll order the necessary parts. Thanks guys!



You rock, too Slavac, tip of the hat, you're a great organizer and fundraiser!


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Message 1209439 - Posted: 23 Mar 2012, 23:55:25 UTC - in response to Message 1209437.  

Claggy finished off the Workstation fundraiser. Way to go guys, that was quick.

I'll get the parts ordered tonight.

_________________________________________________________________________

Current totals:

Workstation: Completed
Hotswap/Transport Drives: Raised: $20 / Goal: $ 1410.00 : $1,390 to go


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Message 1209464 - Posted: 24 Mar 2012, 1:53:06 UTC - in response to Message 1209439.  

Workstation ordered. Newegg was nice enough to raise the price of the hard drive and GPU by $5 ea since our first order. Good news is, we had 2 members send a bit extra in on the completed fundraiser, which covered the $10 price increase.

Combined Grand Total $984.12

I'll post tracking info for the workstation as soon as I get it, likely Monday. Thanks again guys for knocking this out of the park!

_____________________________________________________________________

Current Projects:

Hot Swap JBOD/Transport Drives: Raised: $25 / Goal: $ 1410.00 : $1,385 to go


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Message 1209471 - Posted: 24 Mar 2012, 2:19:03 UTC - in response to Message 1209393.  



2. As of yesterday, GeorgeM is alive and running NPTCKR and RFI. PaddyM and the JBOD have been racked as well but due to HP proprietary issues in hooking up to the JBOD we're unable to get them to work in sync together. SETI and the GPU Users Group are working together to try to find a workaround. In the coming month there will likely be a large swap around of various hardware/tasks at SETI in order to best utilize the new hardware. I'll keep everyone updated as I get more information.


If I read Matt's post correctly, the problem with HP proprietary issues was with dear oscar, not paddym....

"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

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Message 1209498 - Posted: 24 Mar 2012, 3:55:35 UTC - in response to Message 1209471.  



2. As of yesterday, GeorgeM is alive and running NPTCKR and RFI. PaddyM and the JBOD have been racked as well but due to HP proprietary issues in hooking up to the JBOD we're unable to get them to work in sync together. SETI and the GPU Users Group are working together to try to find a workaround. In the coming month there will likely be a large swap around of various hardware/tasks at SETI in order to best utilize the new hardware. I'll keep everyone updated as I get more information.


If I read Matt's post correctly, the problem with HP proprietary issues was with dear oscar, not paddym....


The issue involves what we're trying to do with PaddyM, Oscar and the JBOD. The A > B > C connections we wanted don't appear available due to the HP proprietary issues between Oscar and the JBOD.

We may end up adding another RAID card, swapping Oscar's roles, swapping PaddyM's planned roles and so on and so forth. Right now the plan is to try to get around the proprietary issues (basically Oscar refuses to see the JBOD) and if so, we'll get everything back and rolling like normal. If not, the SETI Team will come up with a workaround I'm sure.

Good news is, the 24 drives shipped to Greenbank for data transport have all tested out okay. Those should be back in a week or two and once downloaded will be put in the JBOD for good.


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Message 1209499 - Posted: 24 Mar 2012, 3:58:51 UTC - in response to Message 1209498.  



2. As of yesterday, GeorgeM is alive and running NPTCKR and RFI. PaddyM and the JBOD have been racked as well but due to HP proprietary issues in hooking up to the JBOD we're unable to get them to work in sync together. SETI and the GPU Users Group are working together to try to find a workaround. In the coming month there will likely be a large swap around of various hardware/tasks at SETI in order to best utilize the new hardware. I'll keep everyone updated as I get more information.


If I read Matt's post correctly, the problem with HP proprietary issues was with dear oscar, not paddym....


The issue involves what we're trying to do with PaddyM, Oscar and the JBOD. The A > B > C connections we wanted don't appear available due to the HP proprietary issues between Oscar and the JBOD.

We may end up adding another RAID card, swapping Oscar's roles, swapping PaddyM's planned roles and so on and so forth. Right now the plan is to try to get around the proprietary issues (basically Oscar refuses to see the JBOD) and if so, we'll get everything back and rolling like normal. If not, the SETI Team will come up with a workaround I'm sure.

Good news is, the 24 drives shipped to Greenbank for data transport have all tested out okay. Those should be back in a week or two and once downloaded will be put in the JBOD for good.

Hardware shall be hardware, always a b........
"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

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Message 1209507 - Posted: 24 Mar 2012, 4:16:21 UTC - in response to Message 1209498.  
Last modified: 24 Mar 2012, 4:18:09 UTC



2. As of yesterday, GeorgeM is alive and running NPTCKR and RFI. PaddyM and the JBOD have been racked as well but due to HP proprietary issues in hooking up to the JBOD we're unable to get them to work in sync together. SETI and the GPU Users Group are working together to try to find a workaround. In the coming month there will likely be a large swap around of various hardware/tasks at SETI in order to best utilize the new hardware. I'll keep everyone updated as I get more information.


If I read Matt's post correctly, the problem with HP proprietary issues was with dear oscar, not paddym....


The issue involves what we're trying to do with PaddyM, Oscar and the JBOD. The A > B > C connections we wanted don't appear available due to the HP proprietary issues between Oscar and the JBOD.

We may end up adding another RAID card, swapping Oscar's roles, swapping PaddyM's planned roles and so on and so forth. Right now the plan is to try to get around the proprietary issues (basically Oscar refuses to see the JBOD) and if so, we'll get everything back and rolling like normal. If not, the SETI Team will come up with a workaround I'm sure.

Good news is, the 24 drives shipped to Greenbank for data transport have all tested out okay. Those should be back in a week or two and once downloaded will be put in the JBOD for good.


I'm curious whether it might be possible to use a barebones server with several available expansion slots as a solution for this type of issue either now or in the future. Most oddball hardware in my experience can operate through an expansion card, so you have JBOD (or whatever) talking to the (normally incompatable) interface server through a card, and interface server talking to different incompatable hardware through the network. In essence perhaps it might be possible to turn one of the older, existing servers into a really smart data hub by stripping it and installing required interface cards?
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Message 1209508 - Posted: 24 Mar 2012, 4:16:53 UTC - in response to Message 1209499.  

Hardware shall be hardware, always a b........


Must be incompatible magic smoke in the cables....
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Message 1209547 - Posted: 24 Mar 2012, 6:39:59 UTC - in response to Message 1209507.  



2. As of yesterday, GeorgeM is alive and running NPTCKR and RFI. PaddyM and the JBOD have been racked as well but due to HP proprietary issues in hooking up to the JBOD we're unable to get them to work in sync together. SETI and the GPU Users Group are working together to try to find a workaround. In the coming month there will likely be a large swap around of various hardware/tasks at SETI in order to best utilize the new hardware. I'll keep everyone updated as I get more information.


If I read Matt's post correctly, the problem with HP proprietary issues was with dear oscar, not paddym....


The issue involves what we're trying to do with PaddyM, Oscar and the JBOD. The A > B > C connections we wanted don't appear available due to the HP proprietary issues between Oscar and the JBOD.

We may end up adding another RAID card, swapping Oscar's roles, swapping PaddyM's planned roles and so on and so forth. Right now the plan is to try to get around the proprietary issues (basically Oscar refuses to see the JBOD) and if so, we'll get everything back and rolling like normal. If not, the SETI Team will come up with a workaround I'm sure.

Good news is, the 24 drives shipped to Greenbank for data transport have all tested out okay. Those should be back in a week or two and once downloaded will be put in the JBOD for good.


I'm curious whether it might be possible to use a barebones server with several available expansion slots as a solution for this type of issue either now or in the future. Most oddball hardware in my experience can operate through an expansion card, so you have JBOD (or whatever) talking to the (normally incompatable) interface server through a card, and interface server talking to different incompatable hardware through the network. In essence perhaps it might be possible to turn one of the older, existing servers into a really smart data hub by stripping it and installing required interface cards?


Likely no due to cost concerns. Trust me when I say there are much smarter minds than mine working to solve the issue. They'll get it sorted, it may just take a bit more time than initially anticipated. I'm just the guy trying to get them the hardware they need once they realize it's needed :)

The good news is, our donors are awesome so I'm sure if more hardware is required, our donors will provide it for the project.

On a side note, how cool is it seeing GeorgeM up and running and more importantly RFI and NTPCKR up and chewing through data?

_____________________________________________________________________

Current Projects:

Hot Swap JBOD/Transport Drives: Raised: $25 / Goal: $ 1410.00 : $1,385 to go


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Message 1209589 - Posted: 24 Mar 2012, 11:28:39 UTC - in response to Message 1209547.  



<snip the other stuff>

The good news is, our donors are awesome so I'm sure if more hardware is required, our donors will provide it for the project.

On a side note, how cool is it seeing GeorgeM up and running and more importantly RFI and NTPCKR up and chewing through data?

_____________________________________________________________________

Current Projects:

Hot Swap JBOD/Transport Drives: Raised: $25 / Goal: $ 1410.00 : $1,385 to go


It is, in fact, very cool indeed - it shall be interesting to see what happens to the project when both new servers and the JBOD are up to speed and load balancing and performance tweaking has been ongoing for a few weeks!
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Message 1210197 - Posted: 26 Mar 2012, 2:18:41 UTC - in response to Message 1209589.  

Workstation 2 of 2's tracking information's up. You can view it like always by visiting http://www.gpuug.org/purchases.

If you have a few dollars to spare, please consider helping us work on the Hotswap/Transport drive fundraiser. Please note you can donate either funds or the actual drives by visiting http://www.gpuug.org/catalog

_____________________________________________________________________

Current Projects:


Hot Swap JBOD/Transport Drives: Raised: $25 / Goal: $ 1410.00 : $1,385 to go


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Message boards : Number crunching : Upgrading SETI@Home: Current Hardware Fundraising Projects


 
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