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 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.”
Let’s start folding!
Install Folding@home Client
- Using your web browser, navigate to the download page
- 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)
- Click Open with and select Software install (default)
- Click OK
- The Ubuntu Software window appears
- Click Install
- You may need to enter your password
- Ubuntu Software installs Folding@home Client
Install Folding@home Control
- 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)
- Click Open with and select Software install (default)
- Click OK
- The Ubuntu Software window appears
- Click Install
- You may need to enter your password
- Ubuntu Software installs FAHClient
Install Folding@home Viewer
- 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)
- Click Open with and select Software install (default)
- Click OK
- The Ubuntu Software window appears
- Click Install
- You may need to enter your password
- Ubuntu Software installs FAHViewer
Configure your Folding@home Identity (optional)
- Open FAHControl
- Click Configure
- Click the Identity tab
- Enter your name or alias in the Name field
- 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)
- Click Save
Folding@home Viewer
Open FAHViewer to use the Folding@home 3D Visualizer. It’s pretty cool!
Categories: Tech