BOINC on Unraid

[porina]

I'm still thinking about my options on how to optimise my NAS without spending money, and one idea I had was to move my 11700k system into one of my NAS. This is a bit overkill since they're pure file storage, but I do use the 11700k for BOINC. So if I did that move, I'd like to keep using it.

 

Anyone know what's the easiest way to get BOINC going on Unraid? I've seen Docker(s) exist for it, but not looked in detail yet. Alternative is a "normal" install as long as I get paths right for the storage... actually, on that note, is this a use case where some separate storage pool might be worth adding. I don't really want BOINC keeping the spinners spinning. A small non-redundant SSD might be a candidate for BOINC project data.

 

If it helps, assume no BOINC work will run on any GPU. I will not be using any VM functionality of BOINC either. On that note, have they got rid of the version that includes VM support? I don't see it in the current download page. Guess basically no one else used it either?

[Kilrah]

Container's extremely straightforward. Not much point having dedicated storage as long as you have your appdata on SSD already, can just go there.

[porina]

12 minutes ago, Kilrah said:

Container's extremely straightforward. Not much point having dedicated storage as long as you have your appdata on SSD already, can just go there.

https://hub.docker.com/r/linuxserver/boinc/

 

I thought I saw multiple Docker things, turned out they all pointed to the same one, above.

 

There is no SSD at all currently. Unraid runs off flash USB drive, and storage array are HDs. Hence thinking of adding a SSD for BOINC to use so HDs wont be kept awake by it. Nothing routinely runs off Docker as up to this point it is a pure file storage NAS. I don't want an 8 core CPU sitting idle if I go head with this move.

 

Edit: depending on available M.2 or SATA ports, I have either a 32GB Optane module, or my original 40GB Intel SATA SSD from when they started to become affordable.

[OddOod]

1 hour ago, porina said:

Edit: depending on available M.2 or SATA ports, I have either a 32GB Optane module, or my original 40GB Intel SATA SSD from when they started to become affordable.

TBH, I'd probably recommend tossing a cheap 120 in. Yes, it's 20$, so more than 0, but ideally it will last longer than an already decade old SSD

[porina]

9 minutes ago, OddOod said:

TBH, I'd probably recommend tossing a cheap 120 in. Yes, it's 20$, so more than 0, but ideally it will last longer than an already decade old SSD

15 years. From an era when MLC was the value option. I can still use it until it does die before reconsidering my options. I'm running BOINC, nothing mission critical. Worse case I lose a little crunching time. It would still be $20 wasted to get another, if I can even find one new that cheap where I am which is doubtful. There is also a chance I might have other old/small SSDs in my spare bits box but I mentioned those two because I know I still have them.

[Kilrah]

2 hours ago, porina said:

There is no SSD at all currently.

Ah then yeah, definitely add one, and go with the bigger one. You'll want your "system" share with the Docker image to be on it as well and that's already 20GB by default.