Hello got an idea (happens sometimes) Anyway i see the Hick super computer a while ago and i want to build one.

I need

1. Optimised BOINC LAN based Linux dist (So the processing units don't need Hard drives. The OS would come from Lan then install Onto System RAM (Ram disk?) A bit like a dumb terminal but with The Boinc prog being only task.

2. Needs a VNC or similar so i dont have to use a KVM or 10 monitors keyboards or mice!!

3. spelling lessons

4. ATA to Lan (Virtual ATA LAN Drive) for older boot of ATA only boards (Do these exist)

5. Sleep

6. Big UPS (MY APC unit is okay but configures to manage one PC only (The rest get the power cut if on bat for too long :-(

7. I'm a linux newbie (Read useless) so needs to be custom Dist i feel

8. Thanks for those who choose even to read this far, never mind an inteligent repsonse!

9. Ideally the computer needs ashutdown task that sends it's data as if it is the last time is used for Boinc (I lend these PC's to people who's computers i'm mending so they can still e-mail etc)

thanks for pateince,
Dave McMahon

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no vnc/kvm necessary. use ssh

you want a PXE/netboot server with boinc init scripts.
if the slave pc's can't boot to network by default, you can make an etherboot floppy disk from here:
http://rom-o-matic.net/5.4.0/
more information on diskless linux here:
http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/diskless-howto.xml

Also look at Linux Terminal Server Project.

Good luck,
Martin

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