distcc over the 'net

jaidormi · n00b Joined: 24 Oct 2003 Posts: 11

Would distcc work via the internet? IE, if I'm running around with a wireless laptop and I own a fast machine sitting on a T1 somewhere, and another on fast (reasonably, 368k) DSL, each with static IP's, is it possible to open a port on the firewalls and distribute what I'm working on with the laptop to these (very) remote machines? That would be sweet. :wink:

Mainly I'm trying to figure out whether it's worth the lost productivity to wait for the powerbook G5's, or if I'm better off to buy a G4 powerbook and get my mobile goodness while still being able to compile quickly.

Also, if anyone knows of an existing AMD64 notebook that compares favorably to the 15" powerbook in terms of light weight, widescreen display, ergonomics, and physical solidness, I'd lovingly go that way too. Of course it would have to run Gentoo.

Thanks, all.

Cocker68 · Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2004 9:02 am Post subject:

Yes, I did this - but via my 768/128 ADSL connection most of time was wasted by copying stuff back and forth instead of compiling...
BTW: instead of opening ports on my world-interface I prefered to use an IPsec-interface.

- Cocker :wq

nephros · Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2004 10:06 am Post subject:

I tried this too for a time, but even over two Cable lines in the same town copying files around nullified any benefits from compile speed gains.

I did it over a simple pptp VPN which has the benefit that you can add and remove hosts from your DISTCC_HOSTS variable as their connections go up and down; probably iptables rules to only allow specific source IPs would be less overhead (but not secure).

Heh, I even did a random nmap probe over the web to see how many open distcc ports there were :twisted:

(and there are a _LOT_!), and then used those hosts too, but I stopped that after a couple of hours because it is I think highly illegal. It also doesn't work well at all.
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jaidormi · n00b Joined: 24 Oct 2003 Posts: 11

well darn. thanks for your answers, anyway. maybe when we're all running around on an ad-hoc, global wireless network of 100Mb+ it will be a little easier. viva l'information!