LHC@home

Hi all,

When ATLAS tasks run they read database information through so-called Frontier servers, and currently they read from a server located at CERN, with a fallback to a server in Lyon, France, if the CERN one is unavailable.

The OpenHTC.io project now has a Frontier server available using the Cloudflare content distribution network, which means that you will always pull data from a server close to you. Note that we already use this system for delivery of CVMFS content in ATLAS tasks.

I have just changed ATLAS task configuration to use the Cloudflare Frontier server at http://atlascern-frontier.openhtc.io:8080/atlr but only for those who have an HTTP proxy set in their BOINC clients. It will take a bit longer to change for the others but I will notify here when it is done.

The port 8080 was not previously used by ATLAS tasks even though it is mentioned in the list of ports at the bottom of the FAQ, so please check your firewalls. The old Frontier servers are still there as backup so even if the Cloudflare one doesn't work it should not cause tasks to fail.

If anyone sees any problems please let us know!

Best regards,
David

Thanks David.

Got the first task that configures atlascern-frontier.openhtc.io about 1 h ago.
Meanwhile a couple of them on different boxes are running without issues.

OK here, too.