Strange task rotation on BOINC 6.12.33(x64)

Message boards : Questions and problems : Strange task rotation on BOINC 6.12.33(x64)
Message board moderation

To post messages, you must log in.

AuthorMessage
Sean

Send message
Joined: 22 Apr 11
Posts: 7
United Kingdom
Message 39243 - Posted: 24 Jul 2011, 17:52:13 UTC

Hello,

I am having an issue with BOINC and running tasks.

PC: Dual-Core Intel no GPU
Single Project of Milkyway with Milkyway core app using both cores to process a single task.

Now BOINC is downloading and starting tasks then swapping out after x hours and then starts another task, then after x hours starts another task etc. The maximum number of tasks BOINC has had running has gotten up to 5 tasks.

Is there a way to stop BOINC trying to work on some many tasks in rotation, maybe just complete the one task it is working on then start another task.

Also I have noticed that some Milkway tasks are being downloaded by BOINC with a deadline of 2 days away yet the run time is calculated at 72hrs etc, this means that the tasks go into high priority but never finish especially when BOINC swaps out to another task after x hours (as above) which means that task are not completed.

Is there a way that BOINC will download only a task it can complete or abort the task once it has downloaded but before starting if the deadline can not be meet.

Example the PC is currently working on an nbody test WU that still has 400hrs to complete but the deadline is in 48hrs so why even attempt to start and process it?

This dual-core PC is on 24hrs day.

I would post this on Milkyway forum but they are offline for days and also I think it is a BOINC issue anyway.

Thanks
ID: 39243 · Report as offensive
Sean

Send message
Joined: 22 Apr 11
Posts: 7
United Kingdom
Message 39259 - Posted: 25 Jul 2011, 12:01:10 UTC - in response to Message 39244.  

The BOINC scheduler does some strange things sometimes. I see 2 things for you try.

1) Keep a very small cache. If you have 24 hour connection to the Internet then set "Connect about every..." to 0. Set "Additional work buffer" to 0.1 or less. Yes, I know BOINC shouldn't download work it can't complete but...


Preference have these already set, I use BOINC Stats as my manager.


2) Use the "fetch minimal work" option in a cc_config.xml file. This will limit work to 1 task per core which in your case would be 2 tasks. To use this feature copy and paste the following into a file named cc_config.xml in your BOINC data directory.

<cc_config>
<options>
<fetch_minimal_work>1</fetch_minimal_work>
</options>
</cc_config>

Use a text editor like Notepad to create the file and make sure you save it with a .xml extension, not a .txt extension.

If you already have a cc_config.xml then just slip the bold line in between the <option> and </option> tags. This feature works only with BOINC version 6.11 and up. After you have the cc_config.xml in place you must force BOINC to read it by clicking Advanced -> Read Config File.


I already have a cc_config.xml so I shall add <fetch_minimal_work>1</fetch_minimal_work> to it and see if it works.

I have also aborted all the tasks the client had as none of the taks would meet the deadlines so I should now start with a clean sheet.

Thanks
ID: 39259 · Report as offensive

Message boards : Questions and problems : Strange task rotation on BOINC 6.12.33(x64)

Copyright © 2024 University of California.
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation.