Error 'can't connect to local host' when I try add project in Boinc client (Google Cloud or AWS)

Question

I'm trying to run project on Google Cloud or AWS. Every time I see same response 'can't connect to local host'.

I execute commands according to recommendations:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install boinc
boinccmd --lookup_account https://boinc.bakerlab.org/rosetta/ email password

Why can't the Boinc client connect to local host?

Answer 1

ChristianBeer has described the issue like following

The Client and Manager are communicating via TCP so there is always a possibility that a firewall is restricting access to the port the Client uses even on the loopback interface. It is most likely related to a local change of the firewall or dns resolver update.

Biodoc has given 2 solutions for this issue:

First Solution:

• 1) open a terminal window
• 2) cd to your BOINC directory (I run the installation script in my home directory so my BOINC folder is /home/mark/BOINC)
• 3) start boinc: ./boinc (this will run boinc w/o the GUI interface)
• 4) open another terminal window and cd to BOINC directory
• 5) start boincmgr: ./boincmgr (this will start the GUI interface)

It's kind of cumbersome but it works for me.

Second Solution:

Here's another option (longterm solution).

Say you want to manage your boinc projects on your linux box from another machine on your local network.

On the linux box:

• 1) stop boinc and open a terminal window.
• 2) cd to BOINC directory
• 3) gedit ./gui_rpc_auth.cfg (this file contains the password for remote "control" of boinc)
• 4) the default password is insanely long so delete it and change it to something easy to remember.
• 5) save the file and close gedit
• 6) find out the ip address of this machine by typing/running ifconfig
• 7) write down the ip address and consider changing you router settings to fixed ip addresses. Otherwise, the next time your reboot the machine it may grab a different ip address.
• 8) start boinc with this command: ./boinc --allow_remote_gui_rpc
• 9) go to another computer and start the boinc gui
• 10) go to the "advanced" menu and choose "select computer.."
• 11) type in ip address and password for your linux box and now you should the boinc tasks/projects on the remote linux box.
• 12) Important (took me a while to figure this out): to go back to your local machine, go the advanced menu and "select computer", then type in localhost and the local password should pop-up automatically.

Resource Link:

1. linux boinc can't connect to localhost
2. Boinc manager can't connect to client using "localhost"

Answer 2

Thank you so much for answers.

During long investigation, I also have been found more easy way to start Boinc on AWS/Google Cloud

• sudo apt-get install boinc-client boinc-manager
• sudo /etc/init.d/boinc-client start
• boinccmd --project_attach www.worldcommunitygrid.org Weak Account Key
• sudo /etc/init.d/boinc-client restart

Then possible to check status: - sudo /etc/init.d/boinc-client status - boinccmd --get_simple_gui_info

This commands can be helpful for other contributors.