JasonG's diskless node attempt

[jasong]

This is my thread for attempting to get a couple of diskless nodes running.

Basically, I have two motherboards, both have RAM and cpu, but it's been so long since I obtained/used them, that I'm not even sure of what I have. Mainly, I have two goals:

(1) First, and foremost, I need to figure out what the heck I have. I've tried entering some of the serial numbers in Google, but nothing came up. The search didn't get anything.

(2) The second goal, after I figure out what each thing is, is to get one or both powered and posting. Being the idiot that I am, I need to figure out how to power the motherboard(s?) and get information to and from it(them?).

You guys can feel free to help me with either goal, but I'm not going to buy anything to help me with #2 until I know some basic information about the motherboards. This isn't a 100% rule, but I'd like to try to figure things out without having to plug the motherboards into anything.

I did a search on diskless nodes, and most of the links seem to assume the connections are already managed. If you guys could help me with some search terms that have to do with the physical plugging in the motherboard and transferring information, that would be fabulous.

The next post gives some basic info on the boards I gleaned by simply looking at them.

[jasong]

Board number one, the smaller one, says NForce3-A ver. 1.0A(after I post this, I'll do a search on that. Edit: Socket 754) I can't figure out the amount of RAM from looking at the stick. As for the cpu, when I figure out the board, that will probably tell me whether it is worthwhile to plug everything in.

Board number two, is a board that was sold to me by jokern3000(not sure if that is his SOB name or his username on the forums). I've finally given up on my mother helping me make room in my room for my stuff, so I'm just wading in and using the space I have. The one I have plugged in is rated at 3000+, since it uses the hard drive, and I plug the hard drive into a case to prevent vibration, the cpu also has a case. The other one he gave me is rated at 2800+, so the trick is to figure out how to plug everything in. I've already decided I want to use it. That board is labeled 1Bit-NF7.

There's a lot of stuff I couold put here, but I don't know what's important, so I guess I'll just wait for the questions.

/me goes to do a search on the first board.

[jasong]

On further reflection, since 754 is fairly recent, I want to plug it in. So, I basically need help getting it power and transferring info. Diskless booting hasn't even entered into the equation, I just need to get one or both to post.

[Marky-UK]

The NForce3 is just the name of the chipset and it's used on many different motherboards from many vendors. Hopefully there should be some other identifier on the board itself.

Never heard of 1bit, but abit do a socket A (eg Athlon XP) motherboard called the NF7. Is this it? abit NF7 (http://www2.abit.com.tw/page/uk/motherboard/motherboard_detail.php?pMODEL_NAME=NF7&fMTYPE=Socket+A)

I've never tried diskless nodes so can't help with that.

[Fozzie]

but diskless nodes, PXE booting etc is SERIOUS tech stuff.

If you search the forum you will find a full set of very lengthy posts from IB, RSBriggs, PCZ and others. if you can fully comprehend that lot then go for it.

Looking at some of your posts I would imagine it would be beyond you.

[jasong]

but diskless nodes, PXE booting etc is SERIOUS tech stuff.

If you search the forum you will find a full set of very lengthy posts from IB, RSBriggs, PCZ and others. if you can fully comprehend that lot then go for it.

Looking at some of your posts I would imagine it would be beyond you.
To be honest, the big issue is money.

Okay, I want an honest opinion from everybody qualified to have one, should I attempt diskless nodes? And if the answer is no, what about caseless powering, where each motherboard has a USB stick with just enough information to run a specific program and do everything it's supposed to do, as well as communicate with a main computer to say it's progress.

[Fozzie]

Buy 2 small HDDs, screw the mobos to some board and run them with a minimal linux or Windoze.

You'll need a CDROM to do the installs, and if you fancy a project try splitting the PSU 20 pin to run 2 boards off one PSU.

[LAURENU2]

jasong Your being Penny wise and pound foolish:lmao: To save 2 dollars you are going to
go through all this trouble to make this cruncher:bang: when you could just go here:rock:

http://www.pcpartsohio.com/BookDetail.aspx?item_id=315

And get a Item 10.2GB 5400rpm Hard Drive ATA/100 for a Price of $12.00

[jasong]

jasong Your being Penny wise and pound foolish:lmao: To save 2 dollars you are going to
go through all this trouble to make this cruncher:bang: when you could just go here:rock:

http://www.pcpartsohio.com/BookDetail.aspx?item_id=315

And get a Item 10.2GB 5400rpm Hard Drive ATA/100 for a Price of $12.00
Well, I'm also worried a bit about noise. USB sticks don't make any noise, so my mother is less likely to complain about how loud my television is, since it won't be turned up as much.

[LAURENU2]

Do as you will But think about it the Fans for the CPU and power supply will make more Noise then the drive

[tnerual]

if you go on ebay you can get cheaper hd (i got 2.5 giga HD for 0,5€)
noise come from 2 parts: power supply and processor heatsink.
take a quality (no noise) power supply and split it to power the two board.

don't forget: you probably must have a graphic card ...

so what you have to buy is:

1 power supply (maybe 2)
2 small HD (around 2-3 giga)
2 vido card.

total price: around 100$

[jasong]

Do as you will But think about it the Fans for the CPU and power supply will make more Noise then the drive
You're probably right. I'll think about it.

[LAURENU2]

if you go on ebay you can get cheaper hd (i got 2.5 giga HD for 0,5€)
noise come from 2 parts: power supply and processor heatsink.
take a quality (no noise) power supply and split it to power the two board.

don't forget: you probably must have a graphic card ...

so what you have to buy is:

1 power supply (maybe 2)
2 small HD (around 2-3 giga)
2 vido card.

total price: around 100$
YOU forgot Memory 256M =$22.00 or 512 M =$45.00 each

[CaptainMooseInc]

tneural didn't. jason says they have ram already...

[jasong]

I'm trying to decide whether or not I should start a new thread entitled 'caseless powering.'

I've been doing some searches on the Internet, and I can't seem to find anything helpful. Could you guys recommend some search terms? My searches don't seem to be accomplishing much.

Obvious problems(obvious to me):

1. I need to learn how to power the thing. Right now I'm wondering what the little 4-sectioned secondary part is for, I assume the 20-part portion is for the actual power.

2. I need to figure out how to power the thing without potentially causing damage to anything.

3. I need to figure out how to attach the hard drive and see what it's doing. I'm thinking that first I need to get my laptop communicating with my Linux box, and then worry about the caseless nodes, but a little research couldn't hurt.

[Marky-UK]

1. I need to learn how to power the thing. Right now I'm wondering what the little 4-sectioned secondary part is for, I assume the 20-part portion is for the actual power.
The 4-way connector provides two more +12v power lines; the 20-pin ATX connector only has one +12v line which isn't enough for the later power-hungry motherboard setups.

[jasong]

I've been thinking about it, and I'm wondering if I'm in over my head. The only electronics dude I have available to help me is my father, and his level of confidence is low. He worked with communications equipment in the 80's, but hasn't had a lot of experience since. The whole interface was probably totally different back then.

I'm fairly intelligent, but I've never been accused of having a lot of common sense, evidenced by the fact that I have trouble with Google searches.

What do you guys think? Should I just muddle it through, or give in and buy a case? Alternately, I could sell or give away what I have and get something with more oomph, that might be more worthwhile. Still another option is to ask around and find someone willing to crunch for 6 months or so in order to get the board and RAM.(My cousin and her family come to mind)

Opinions?

[Bok]

no need for a case. Just go to a staples, office depot or officemax and buy one of those stackable baskets.

Put the PSU in it, put a mousepad on top, then the mobo on top of that. Use cable ties to tie it all the basket. HD can go by the side tied to the basket too. Simple. Easy to carry, move around and such.

There is a pic of one I did on here somewhere if you search the forum for basket cruncher..

Bok

[Fozzie]

http://www.nelliott.demon.co.uk/distributed/index.html

and this

http://www.free-dc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=556&highlight=caseless

also do a search for caseless DC boxen, lots of advice there.

[jasong]

http://www.nelliott.demon.co.uk/distributed/index.html

and this

http://www.free-dc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=556&highlight=caseless

also do a search for caseless DC boxen, lots of advice there.
Thanks Fozzie, 'caseless DC' seems to be more helpful.