How To: Crack Rack

[bbarnes]

There was a thread with a link to some pictures/specs on one of these things not to long back, within the past month or so...
Alright, I am thinking about making one of theses 'crack racks' sometime in the future (not to near/not to far).

Anyways, I had some questions:

1) What components are necessary?
2) How do you do Win98 on a zip drive?
3) How would you construct this thing (like the one in the pics) with mobo on top of mobo etc.? Like what would you use that is strong enough to hold each one up...

Answers to these questions and any other suggestions are welcome.

TIA

 

[networkman]

THIS may be the one you're thinking of; if not, there's a bunch of "old-timers" here that have experience with the "Warp Core".

 

[RaySun2Be]

<< THIS may be the one you're thinking of; if not, there's a bunch of "old-timers" here that have experience with the "Warp Core". >>



NWM, you had to go and provide that link again...

/me runs off to find a drool bib....

 

[RigorousT]

We really do need a FAQ on How to Crack Racks

I'll try to answer what I can, although I don't have a crack rack (yet!)

1) You can check out that OcUK setup and notice they use motherboards with onboard video and LAN. Get atleast 64mb fast ram for each, depending on your motherboard. You'll need a big ethernet switch, 8-16 ports. If you want to do it right, get yourself a KMV switch kit, 8 port model, so you can switch between computers fast and easy. Get yourself lots of CAT5 cable and atleast 4 surge protectors (APC generators optional). Don't forget a powersupply for each motherboard, I'm guessing atleast 350W if you're using XP processors.. but others might know from experience if you can go lower rating safely since you don't need to power anything but the motherboard and disk drive.

2) sorry no experience... but I've heard there is a Win98lite version that might be worth checking out.

3) again no experience, but I would imagine PVC, wood slabs, and some metal rods would be the way to go.. just don't use anything conductive (glass conducts slightly if I remember my freshmen chem correctly)


some links to previous crack rack discussions
Our review of/drooling over the team phoenix rising crack rack
Our crack rack funds audit and some tidbits of info from CBW
narzy's rally
passing mention
another good thread, lil dated though, Russ links pics to the Cube Rack

best of luck --RT

 

[Evadman]

I tried making one of those ( or something like it anyway) And could not find the plastic rods that they used. Then I saw one that Kilowatt had built ( a set of 4, but on their sides, and with steal rods ) but could not find any of the right diameter. I just bought cheap casses

got 2 of the systems up already ( running a 900 and a 1.0 AMD ) maiting on memory for my Tyan boards, then I will have those up too. These are in addition to what I already have running ( but those that I have use almost all the power they got running game servers and such, so very little WU output )

 

[toft-dk]

Never seen theese pics before
That would go nicely right next to my bed.

HMMM maybe not: I don't think my wife would agree

 

[AlricTheMad]

bbarnes,

Since the cost of buying multiple Win98 licenses may be cost prohibitive. May I suggest Linux.

Seti@Home runs well under linux with WINE

There is an optomized ECCP client that also runs ver well under linux.

You would not need to have on board video ro the need for a KVM as you could secure shell into each board to run whaterever client.

There is at least one, probably more Linux distro that will fit & run on a floppy.

Just my $.02

AlricTheMad

 

[Elledan]

<< glass conducts slightly if I remember my freshmen chem correctly >>


Only when heated. The ions which make up glass can not move around freely at room temperature.

It's not like you'll short out a mainboard if you place it on a glassplate

 

[RaySun2Be]

If all these beasts are going to do is run a DC project, I don't think that an 8 port switch is all that necessary. You could pick up an 8 or 16 port 10/100 hub for a lot less, and it should do the job fine. If you use VNC or similar remote control app, a KVM switch (although quite handy and convenient) isn't really necessary either.

Maybe we should break the crack rack FAQs into 2 categories:

1) For those where money is no object
2) for those who need to build one as cheap as possible.

My opinion is that the main goal of a crack rack is to setup as many "nodes" as possible for as few $$ as possible, yielding the best $$ per WU output ratios

Back in the old RC5 crack rack days, when power demands of CPUs/MBs weren't as demanding, some even modified power supplies to provide power to 2 or three MBs at a time. Lord_Demios had an excellent FAQ on how to do the mods.

When Kilowatt came out with Klinux (RC5), you could build really cheap crack racks, because you didn't even need a hard drive.

BBarnes,
The answer can depend on what project you will use the crack rack for. The requirements for an RC5 rack are less than for a SETI rack.

1.) Basics are MB, CPU, RAM, Vid, NIC, (HD & Floppy depending on project), hub/switch with enough ports for all nodes and a link to your network or internet, cheap keybard/mouse or KVM switch, Operating system, remote control app (optional)
2) Don't know
3) You should be able to go to a hardware or good hobby store and find threaded rods that fit in the MB mounting holes. use plastic nuts to secure the MB to the rod. you can also get plastic tubes to help insulate the threaded rods and provide support like they did in the pics. Some have used shelf units and just mounted the MBs to wood shelf boards. Others have just used cases and stacked them together.



[edit]
Ooh, guess what I just found. The article that discussed the power supply mods for crack racks.
HERE

Also, do a search on the Distributed Forums archives from 01/01/2000 to 12/31/2001 on "crack rack" or "crackrack" and you will find all kinds of great discussions on crack racks, KVMs, etc.