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remote kernel problems (LinkOpen::linke: MathLink linkname missing or malformed..)

• To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
• Subject: [mg119641] remote kernel problems (LinkOpen::linke: MathLink linkname missing or malformed..)
• From: Szabolcs Horvát <szhorvat at gmail.com>
• Date: Wed, 15 Jun 2011 07:22:02 -0400 (EDT)

Dear MathGroup,

I am trying to use a remote kernel.  My computer and the server are on 
the same network.  After some trial and error, I managed to get it sort 
of working, but there are some significant problems left:

1. After launching the kernel, I get the error:
"LinkOpen::linke: MathLink linkname missing or malformed.."

2. Autocompletion (CTRL-K) does not work in the front end (nothing 
happens when pressing CTRL-K).

3. Using dynamic displays (Monitor, Manipulate) does not work (I get red 
boxes).

4. ParallelTable also does not work (the front end freezes).

5. Exporting graphics doesn't work either.  I get no error message, but 
the exported file does not appear on the remote machine.  Exporting 
other data types (e.g. wdx) does work.


So here's what I did and what happened:

I used the default options for remote kernels in the kernel 
configuration dialogue.

When launching the remote kernel by evaluating 1+1, I'm asked for the 
password, which I provide.  After this I get the error mentioned above. 
  The correct output (1+1 = 2) is returned though.

I can get the command line used to launch the kernel and the connections 
it makes:

> ps ux|grep MathKernel

> username 27133  8.1  0.9 411444 37168 ?        Ssl  15:21   0:00 /usr/local/Wolfram/Mathematica/8.0/SystemFiles/Kernel/Binaries/Linux-x86-64/MathKernel -mathlink -LinkMode Connect -LinkProtocol TCPIP -LinkName 1610@myip,1611@myip -LinkHost myip


> netstat -pn|grep MathKernel

> tcp        0      0 serverip:38965              license_server_ip:636       ESTABLISHED 27133/MathKernel
> tcp        0      0 127.0.0.1:59642             127.0.0.1:57527             ESTABLISHED 27133/MathKernel
> tcp        0      0 127.0.0.1:40890             127.0.0.1:45050             ESTABLISHED 27133/MathKernel
> tcp        0      0 127.0.0.1:53675             127.0.0.1:33453             ESTABLISHED 27133/MathKernel
> tcp        0      0 serverip:43582              myip:1611                   ESTABLISHED 27133/MathKernel
> tcp        0      0 serverip:50628              myip:1610                   ESTABLISHED 27133/MathKernel
> unix  3      [ ]         STREAM     CONNECTED     3297345 27133/MathKernel
> unix  3      [ ]         STREAM     CONNECTED     3297343 27133/MathKernel


(IPs are censored)

I'm on WinXP while the remote machine runs Linux.


I did try the Remote Kernel Strategies script too, which attempts to 
tunnel the connection through ssh:
http://library.wolfram.com/infocenter/Conferences/7250/

When connecting using this script, I don't get the LinkOpen::linke 
error, but very often (though not always!) the front end will freeze 
when I try to use autocompletion (CTRL-K), which means losing all 
unsaved work.  Using Manipulate might also freeze the kernel.


Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get this working completely, 
in particular how to solve the issues mentioned above (ctrl-k, parallel, 
dynamic, exporting graphics), either with the default options or the 
remote kernel strategies script?

Thanks for any suggestions in advance!

  -- Szabolcs