Managing multiple PCs on WCG via BoincView

[PoppaGeek]

BoincView is a spreadsheet like program to monitor multiple machines on a network that are all running Boinc Manager.

Download here.

Install Instructions here.

It makes it a lot easier to make sure all machines are running and you can execute some commands from it to the other machines. BoincView runs on one machine and communicates with Boinc Manager on the others.

On Boinc Manager under Advanced there is Select Computer which allows you to connect to another machine also running Boinc.

There is some configuration to be done on each machine. Instructions are at links above. ALSO the download link on the boinc-wiki page does not work. Use the one from Berkly.

Here is someones screen shot of it in action. My screen shot is too big and when I resize it unreadable.

[charged3800z24]

Thanks, this is helpful. I am adding one more PC at home and was just wondering if this was possible.

[lkiller123]

Thanks for the write-up. If I want to use it on, lets say, 2 computers, do I have to install BoincView on both of them, or to just install them on the "master"?

[PoppaGeek]

Thanks for the write-up. If I want to use it on, lets say, 2 computers, do I have to install BoincView on both of them, or to just install them on the "master"?

Just the master.

[=[PULSAR]=]

Great post. It is so much nicer watching a single screen and going then switching in between multiples ones.

[lkiller123]

Just the master.

By the way, for the remote_host.cfg file, how should I write it?

[D_A]

Just use any old text editor.

[lkiller123]

Just use any old text editor.

I understand that, but I don't know what format to write it in.

Do I just list my hostnames down?

[D_A]

I just entered the IP address of the host I wanted to allow to connect. ie the IP of your main rig (if that's the only one you want give access to).

[lkiller123]

I just entered the IP address of the host I wanted to allow to connect. ie the IP of your main rig (if that's the only one you want give access to).

Oh, does the file has to be same for all hosts? Let's say the first host's IP is xxx.xxx.x.x and the second host's ip is zzz.zzz.z.z.
I enter

xxx.xxx.x.x
zzz.zzz.z.z

for the remost_host.cfg. That file has to include both of the host in the two different hosts, am I right? Gee I know that this sounds confusing.

[D_A]

Ok, let's use my sorry ass as an example (I usually get made an example of anyway)

My primary machine (this workstation) doesn't have a remote_hosts.cfg file as nothing connects to it.
All other machines on my home network have a remote_hosts.cfg file that contains the IP of my main workstation.
...
PROFIT!

[lkiller123]

Ok, let's use my sorry ass as an example (I usually get made an example of anyway)

My primary machine (this workstation) doesn't have a remote_hosts.cfg file as nothing connects to it.
All other machines on my home network have a remote_hosts.cfg file that contains the IP of my main workstation.
...
PROFIT!

Oh, so you will only need the master host (the one with BoincView)'s IP in the remote-hosts.cfg?

[jcool]

I simply created a textfile containing a single word ("Blackstar" as that is the name of my mainrig, monitoring the others) and then named it remote_hosts.cfg - use the name of the computer you are monitoring from, copy that file to all the monitored (client) PCs and you're golden.
Resolve works fine, no need to enter IPs and stuff.

If you search the WCG forums, we have another thread on this matter. Some good explanations in there as well.
Thanks PG for bringing it up again!

Edit: I gave a short setup howto here - for those of you too laz.. errr, busy to follow the WiKi one
Original thread here: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...ight=BOINCview

[charged3800z24]

Works great, I must add, As I did not see it in the instructions, That you need to show hidden files on win vista and win 7 and copy the 2 config files into \ProgramData\BIONC\ Under your windows installation drive.

[D_A]

Oh, so you will only need the master host (the one with BoincView)'s IP in the remote-hosts.cfg?

Yes, just that one.

I simply created a textfile containing a single word ("Blackstar" as that is the name of my mainrig, monitoring the others) and then named it remote_hosts.cfg - use the name of the computer you are monitoring from, copy that file to all the monitored (client) PCs and you're golden.
Resolve works fine, no need to enter IPs and stuff.

If you search the WCG forums, we have another thread on this matter. Some good explanations in there as well.
Thanks PG for bringing it up again!

I personally prefer to use IPs ... BUT ... I also don't use DHCP for my crunchers. If your network is purely DHCP (ie the IPs aren't static) then you're best off doing it jcool's way and use the host name instead.

[jcool]

Yeah, all DHCP here. Used the host name since day 1 and never any issues.

[lkiller123]

Do I need to use IP if want to monitor a computer that's far away?

[D_A]

I'd say yes. Probably. Though there could well be ways around that.

[lkiller123]

Thank you very much, I've got everything sorted out.

[jcool]

You can always use a DynDNS service like no-ip

[lkiller123]

It was the firewall acting up

[werdwerdus]

can you connect remotely (on the same LAN) if boinc is running in protected mode? It seems like I can't, have the remote hosts and passwords correct but my primary machine won't my family's computer's boinc. Firewall turned off too.

[meanmoe]

I've been looking for something like this... thanks.

[lkiller123]

By the way, does BOINCVIEW work on computers that are on a different network? I am trying to install this to my friend's computer, he lives across the street.

[[Ion]]

By the way, does BOINCVIEW work on computers that are on a different network? I am trying to install this to my friend's computer, he lives across the street.

No, I do not believe so. I've tried, but so far it hasn't worked. Maybe someone here who's smarter than I am can figure it out