Installing Folding@home on Ubuntu Desktop

This post describes how to install the Folding@home (read “folding at home”) software package on Ubuntu Desktop (using a GUI!). That package includes FAHClient, FAHControl, and FAHViewer. I was interested in contributing spare computing cycles for COVID-19 research, and I found Folding@home while researching options. I had some experience with distributed computing clients because I previously contributed to the World Community Grid several years ago. Folding@home is inspired by the SETI@home project.

From the Folding@home website:

“Folding@home is a project focused on disease research. The problems we’re solving require so many computer calcul­ations – and we need your help to find the cures!” This post describes how to install the Folding@home software on Ubuntu Desktop (18.04 LTS) for Ubuntu users interested in contributing computing resources to the project.”

Folding@home Website

Let’s start folding!

Install Folding@home Client

1. Using your web browser, navigate to the download page
2. Click the link fahclient_7.5.1_amd64.deb (7.5.1 is the current version as of this writing. The version you see may be higher)
3. Click Open with and select Software install (default)
4. Click OK
5. The Ubuntu Software window appears
6. Click Install
7. You may need to enter your password
8. Ubuntu Software installs Folding@home Client

Install Folding@home Control

1. Click the link fahcontrol_7.5.1-1_all.deb (7.5.1 is the current version as of this writing. The version you see may be higher)
2. Click Open with and select Software install (default)
3. Click OK
4. The Ubuntu Software window appears
5. Click Install
6. You may need to enter your password
7. Ubuntu Software installs FAHClient

Install Folding@home Viewer

1. Click the link fahviewer-7.5.1-1.x86_64.rpm (7.5.1 is the current version as of this writing. The version you see may be higher)
2. Click Open with and select Software install (default)
3. Click OK
4. The Ubuntu Software window appears
5. Click Install
6. You may need to enter your password
7. Ubuntu Software installs FAHViewer

Configure your Folding@home Identity (optional)

1. Open FAHControl
2. Click Configure
3. Click the Identity tab
4. Enter your name or alias in the Name field
5. Enter and confirm your passkey (if you don’t already have a Folding@home passkey, click on the link above the passkey fields to request one)
6. Click Save

Folding@home Viewer

Open FAHViewer to use the Folding@home 3D Visualizer. It’s pretty cool!