It is possible to use the official Linux science application binaries on FreeBSD, OpenBSD and NetBSD i386 with the Linux Compatibility at without any great lose of performance.
Some tests shows, that the BOINC hardware detection not work correctly, if the Linux BOINC client would be used with the Linux compat, so the usage of the *BSD BOINC client with a app_info.xml for the manual Installation of the science application would be the best way. It has also the benefit, that you can use native FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD science applications, for example SIMAP and SETI@home has a FreeBSD, NetBSD and OpenBSD application.
1. Linux Compat Installation and Configuration
1.1 FreeBSD
• Enable the Kernel Loadable Object for the Linux Compat by issuing the command „kdlload linux“ as root.
• Setup the Linux Kernel version :
• sysctl compat.linux.osrelease=2.6.32
• echo „compat.linux.osrelease=2.6.32 „ > /etc/sysctl.conf
1.2 NetBSD
• At the default Kernels Linux Compat is already enabled.
1.3 OpenBSD
• At the default Kernels Linux Compat is already included in the Kernel, but not enabled. Enable it at runtime with „sysctl kern.emul.linux=1“. And make it persistent after boot by comment to the „#kern.emul.linux=1“ in /etc/sysctl.conf
2. Installation of the science applications
There are two different attempts to use the Linux Compat with the BOINC :
• The first one is to install the Linux Compat and use a client which has a alternative Platform string compiled in, which uses the native OS as first platform string, for example i686-pc-freebsd, and as second platform string i686-pc-linux-gnu.
The benefit is that no further installation is required, and if the project send out a new application, it would been used automaticly.
But, if the application would not run with the Linux compat, it can produce error or invalid results.
• The second attempt via the app_info.xml :
The problem is, that if you use a app_info.xml, you must check manually, if the project has some new work, download the science applications and change the version number and application name in the app_info.xml
In the moment, I‘ve tested it successful with the Rossetta@home and MalariaControl project. - Cosmology@home, POEM@home, Superlink@Technion, the Lattice Project and World Community Grid did not work. But other project are still in testing. - If anyone has it successful running at other projects, please contact me !
2.1 Installation of a BOINC client with a alternative platform string
Download a BOINC client with the alternative platform string from my homepage.
• Install the BOINC client, and start the BOINC client with ./boinc_client.alt after the Linux Compat is setup as
described in step 1.
• Attach to the project(s) with the Linux Application
Successful tested projects : Docking@home, Einstein@home, Ibercivis, World Community Grid
Not successful tested projects : Rosetta@home
More project will tested soon...
2.2 Installation via the app_info.xml
Not successful tested projects :
• Cosmology@home : FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD
• POEM@home : FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD
• LHC@home : FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD
• Superlink@Technion : FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD
• The Lattice Project : FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD
• World Community Grid : FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD
A FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD BOINC client must be installed as pre requirement.
2.2.1 Installation of Rosetta@home
Works on FreeBSD and NetBSD
• Attach to the Rosetta@home project by the BOINC manager, boinc_cmd or boinc_client -attach_project. After the attachment was successful, please stop the BOINC client.
• Change into the BOINC directory
• Copy the file app_info.xml and the rosetta science application to the projects/boinc.bakerlab.org_rosetta directory and change the owner to the user under which BOINC ran. Change the permissions to 555 for the rosetta-5... and minirosetta-1.2* binaries.
Now your BOINC client should use the app_info.xml and download one ore more Rosetta WUs and start Crunching.
2.2.2 Installation of Malaria Control
Works on FreeBSD, NetBSD and OpenBSD
Same installation procedure as at 2.1 (installation of Rosetta@home) described, but with the following
differences :
• Copy the file app_info.xml and the Malaria Control science application to the projects/www.malariacontroll.net/ directory and change the owner to the user under which BOINC ran. Change the permissions to 555 for the malaria-5... binary.