Question is how fast do you want it?

On June 6 at 1501 UTC my PS3 started crunching for Seti. I have installed Yellow Dog Linux 6.0 (YDL 6) available from Terra Soft Solutions as a free download. Boinc and Seti software are from Dotsch. This software does NOT use the SPE's on the PS3 and therefore crunching is slow.

Prior to installing the Dotsch software I installed the software from Gaurav Khanna which is supposed to make use of the SPE's but I was unable to get that software to download work. It succeeded in attaching to Seti and creating a new computer in my account but did not request work after that. Shame because I would much rather use the full capability of the PS3 on Seti. Perhaps Gaurav can update his software and I will be happy to try it again.

At this time the PS3 has been crunching on 2 work units for 7 hours. One is at 30.2% and the other is at 18.4%. I am commited to let this run and see how long it takes with the current software to finish and see if it's work will be verified and granted credit. If you wish to check on the progress of this experiment the PS3 is registered as 4424430.

Hopefully this will answer the questions about the PS3 and it's crunching capability for Seti.

Comments or questions??

I'm interested in seeing how this goes, I got a PS3 2 weeks ago. Right now it does Folding@home when I'm not playing GTA4 but an addition to the Seti farm is always welcome.

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Question is how fast do you want it?

On June 6 at 1501 UTC my PS3 started crunching for Seti. I have installed Yellow Dog Linux 6.0 (YDL 6) available from Terra Soft Solutions as a free download. Boinc and Seti software are from Dotsch. This software does NOT use the SPE's on the PS3 and therefore crunching is slow.

Prior to installing the Dotsch software I installed the software from Gaurav Khanna which is supposed to make use of the SPE's but I was unable to get that software to download work. It succeeded in attaching to Seti and creating a new computer in my account but did not request work after that. Shame because I would much rather use the full capability of the PS3 on Seti. Perhaps Gaurav can update his software and I will be happy to try it again.

At this time the PS3 has been crunching on 2 work units for 7 hours. One is at 30.2% and the other is at 18.4%. I am commited to let this run and see how long it takes with the current software to finish and see if it's work will be verified and granted credit. If you wish to check on the progress of this experiment the PS3 is registered as 4424430.

Hopefully this will answer the questions about the PS3 and it's crunching capability for Seti.

Comments or questions??

Is there anyway you can write up a n00b guide to installing all this? The only problem I have for getting YDL on my ps3 is that I only have a sdtv instead of a HDTV, and truly lost when it comes to the Linux platform.

Right now with my PC its taking about 10/12 hours per WU on a 1ghz machine. You said the version your running now runs 2 different seti at the same time? How fast do they finish?


Edit: Do I need a dvdrom disc instead of a cd-r disc to burn Linux onto the ps3? If so..I won't be able to do it..I have no dvdr's and my computer only burns cd's.. :(

You can view instructions to download and install YDL6 on TerraSoft Solutions site. At 3.7GB this is a very large download and must be burned to a DVD. In fact it is 1 file (an ISO) that must be burned to a DVD in a special way. Nero is the best Windows software to burn an ISO to disk. Also it is also mandatory that the PS3 be connected to an HDTV by an HDMI cable. This provides the best picture and allows you to see what you are doing during the installation process of YDL6. I should mention here also that installing YDL6 does NOT disable the console for playing games. You simply choose which operating system to boot up. Game console or YDL6.

At this time with the currently available software for the PS3 it is probably NOT a good idea to run it on Seti. The wu simply take to long to process. At least I don't recomend to crunch with the PS3 at this time with this software. Now approaching 22 hours one wu has less than an hour to go the other has just over 1 hour to go. They should both be uploading to the Seti servers before too long.

Now if Gaurov were to update his software and make it available that could dramatically lower the time to crunch a wu and make it worthwhile.

According to complains about the performance issues of the PS3 applications...
The PS3 has a complete different architecture that the common known computers with multi cores a we know it. The usage of the SPEs needs a complete rewriting of the application to get the full throughtput. But due the new architecture of the PS3 SPEs the rewritting is a lot of work. - This is excatly that what PS3 Grid, Folding or Distributed Net (yoyo) has done with there applications.
So a recompile and runs very fast is here not posible. So I hope a little bit more understandment for the situation, that the PS3 would not be utilized with the full throughtput at SETI.

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According to complains about the performance issues of the PS3 applications...
The PS3 has a complete different architecture that the common known computers with multi cores a we know it. The usage of the SPEs needs a complete rewriting of the application to get the full throughtput. But due the new architecture of the PS3 SPEs the rewritting is a lot of work. - This is excatly that what PS3 Grid, Folding or Distributed Net (yoyo) has done with there applications.
So a recompile and runs very fast is here not posible. So I hope a little bit more understandment for the situation, that the PS3 would not be utilized with the full throughtput at SETI.

Lars........
I saw your posting about the new version done by Gaurav. I have downloaded it but now the Seti servers are down. I will wait till later in the day today to install it and give it a try. Hopefully it will download work and crunch now. Thanks for your effort on this.

According to complains about the performance issues of the PS3 applications...
The PS3 has a complete different architecture that the common known computers with multi cores a we know it. The usage of the SPEs needs a complete rewriting of the application to get the full throughput. But due the new architecture of the PS3 SPEs the rewriting is a lot of work. - This is exactly that what PS3 Grid, Folding or Distributed Net (yoyo) has done with there applications.
So a recompile and runs very fast is here not possible. So I hope a little bit more understandment for the situation, that the PS3 would not be utilized with the full throughput at SETI.

Lars........
I saw your posting about the new version done by Gaurav. I have downloaded it but now the Seti servers are down. I will wait till later in the day today to install it and give it a try. Hopefully it will download work and crunch now. Thanks for your effort on this.

Downtime on the Seti servers seems to have started around 4:50am PDT according to Boinc here.

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The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

/url].

Hopefully this will answer the questions about the PS3 and it's crunching capability for Seti.

Comments or questions??

Good job on getting that going. Any idea how many kwh it takes while crunching? I like to use the Killawatt to admire how much my electric bill will go up. I read the PS3 takes about 350 watts under load. I sorta wanted one because some of the Call of Duty's only come for console...

Pam

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One wu completed and here you can see for yourself. Took 20.6 hours to finish. Surely not the best that the PS3 is capable of. Still crunching on 2 more and have set this version for "no new work".

I am currently working with Dotsch trying to get the software from Gaurav to install and run on the PS3. Taking some time as I am a complete novice with Linux. (copy is cp, NOT copy) If successful this should be much faster as it is said to make full use of the PS3.

One wu completed and here you can see for yourself. Took 20.6 hours to finish. Surely not the best that the PS3 is capable of. Still crunching on 2 more and have set this version for "no new work".

A good test, and good for a later comparison hopefully
;-)

I am currently working with Dotsch trying to get the software from Gaurav to install and run on the PS3.

Hey, best of luck.

Taking some time as I am a complete novice with Linux. (copy is cp, NOT copy)

Try:

alias copy=cp

if you wish to use "copy" for the cp command
:-p

Can't remember if DOS had/has an alias command. I would guess not...

If successful this should be much faster as it is said to make full use of the PS3.

Here's watching and good luck,

Happy crunchin',
Martin

[edit] alias correction! [/edit]

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See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

I am currently working with Dotsch trying to get the software from Gaurav to install and run on the PS3. ... If successful this should be much faster as it is said to make full use of the PS3.

Downloaded and installed this software...but the PS3 is still using only one cell respectively is crunching only one WU at a time. I had thought it would use/crunch more ? Or is there some special adjustment one has to do to get it to work ?

I am currently working with Dotsch trying to get the software from Gaurav to install and run on the PS3. ... If successful this should be much faster as it is said to make full use of the PS3.

Downloaded and installed this software...but the PS3 is still using only one cell respectively is crunching only one WU at a time. I had thought it would use/crunch more ? Or is there some special adjustment one has to do to get it to work ?

How excatly do you see, how many SPEs would be used ?
Which SETI application version excatly do you use ? - The new application from Gaurav ?

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Good job on getting that going. Any idea how many kwh it takes while crunching? I like to use the Killawatt to admire how much my electric bill will go up. I read the PS3 takes about 350 watts under load.
Pam

The ps3 uses no where near that amount, I believe the 40gig sku uses around 190/195 watts and all the others use around 220? Not to sure on those..but its no where near 350..

Good job on getting that going. Any idea how many kwh it takes while crunching? I like to use the Killawatt to admire how much my electric bill will go up. I read the PS3 takes about 350 watts under load.
Pam

The ps3 uses no where near that amount, I believe the 40gig sku uses around 190/195 watts and all the others use around 220? Not to sure on those..but its no where near 350..

I don't know how many watts it's consuming. I can tell you there is little to no heat coming out of it while crunching 2 wu using the software from Dotsch. Fans running at low speed.

A 2nd WU has finished and the PS3 is now crunching the remaining wu by itself. 27.8 hours to completion. Hope to get the software from Gaurav online sometime this weekend with a lot of help from Dotsch.

A 2nd WU has finished and the PS3 is now crunching the remaining wu by itself. 27.8 hours to completion. Hope to get the software from Gaurav online sometime this weekend with a lot of help from Dotsch.

I hope to hear back on the results..because 27/28 hours is just insane for completing 1 wu, my 1ghz computer finishes one in 10 hours or so..

Hopefully, they get it working to use the potential of the ps3.

Seti should be going after these developers instead of just asking for help, or at least ask for help on the main homepage and not in the forums..

I hope to hear back on the results..because 27/28 hours is just insane for completing 1 wu, my 1ghz computer finishes one in 10 hours or so..

Hopefully, they get it working to use the potential of the ps3.

Seti should be going after these developers instead of just asking for help, or at least ask for help on the main homepage and not in the forums..

As I have written in the other PS3 thread :

According to complains about the performance issues of the PS3 applications...
The PS3 has a complete different architecture that the common known computers with multi cores a we know it. The usage of the SPEs needs a complete rewriting of the application to get the full throughtput. But due the new architecture of the PS3 SPEs the rewritting is a lot of work. - This is excatly that what PS3 Grid, Folding or Distributed Net (yoyo) has done with there applications.
So a recompile and runs very fast is here not posible. So I hope a little bit more understandment for the situation, that the PS3 would not be utilized with the full throughtput at SETI.

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According to complains about the performance issues of the PS3 applications...
The PS3 has a complete different architecture that the common known computers with multi cores a we know it. The usage of the SPEs needs a complete rewriting of the application to get the full throughtput. But due the new architecture of the PS3 SPEs the rewritting is a lot of work. - This is excatly that what PS3 Grid, Folding or Distributed Net (yoyo) has done with there applications.
So a recompile and runs very fast is here not posible. So I hope a little bit more understandment for the situation, that the PS3 would not be utilized with the full throughtput at SETI.

Yes, I know that, and it will probably be a long time yet before Seti gets a working app for the ps3. Probably because (to me) Seti doesn't really care if it gets the ps3 on its side or not..correct me if I'm wrong?

But I didn't understand the last part you said..Your saying its "not possible"? I'm pretty sure it is possible if ps3grid got theirs going..

For those who want to run BOINC on your PS3, but are intimidated by the thought of installing linux on the HD, PS3GRID has a USB thumb drive implementation. Just plug it in and go. You will be able to join any project that has a PS3 application (PS3GRID, yoyo, SIMAP, SETI, etc).

http://www.ps3grid.net/PS3GRID/live.php

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Dublin, California
Team: SETI.USA

/url].

Hopefully this will answer the questions about the PS3 and it's crunching capability for Seti.

Comments or questions??

Good job on getting that going. Any idea how many kwh it takes while crunching? I like to use the Killawatt to admire how much my electric bill will go up. I read the PS3 takes about 350 watts under load. I sorta wanted one because some of the Call of Duty's only come for console...

Pam

80GB PS3 = 198watts
80GB PS3 with Nyko Intercooler = 212watts

using kill-a-watt

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But I didn't understand the last part you said..Your saying its "not possible"? I'm pretty sure it is possible if ps3grid got theirs going..

From a highly qualified source, it's very doable but will take an order of magnitude of effort (read: MUCH more intensive & detailed coding) that goes well beyond V8 that is the current state-of-the art.
The scale of effort & programming expertise required is a bit beyond "hobby" & starts to compete w/ one's day job & the value one places on Seti optimizing vs. their time.

Dotch's comments match the exact same that was explained to me.

Keep in mind that different projects do different kinds of computations and some may be better/easier suited to CBE than Seti. Also remember that projects like Folding have SUBSTANTIALLY greater financial assets, staffing and corporate partner resources (i.e. dedicated partner developers assigned).
Seti operates by a shoe-string budget comparatively. Also, Eric is the only paid developer re: the standard Berkeley aps and unless he can do same w/ CBE, we're S.O.L. until a volunteer comes forward willing to invest & dedicate the time necessary.

While the thought of a a highly optimized CBE Seti ap is as appealing to me as anyone, I'm more interested in GPU progress. This effort is actually further along w/ much greater potential than CBE.

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