This program is used to find Mersenne Prime numbers. Mersenne numbers can
be proved composite (not prime) by either finding a factor or by running a
Lucas-Lehmer
primality test.
GIMPS requires a Pentium class computer that is on most of the time. The program
runs at the lowest possible priority.
You should not see any
impact on your system's
performance. The program will use about 8MB of memory and about 10MB of disk space.
Most importantly, you will need a lot of patience. Roughly speaking it will
take about a month to run a single primality test - visit the
benchmark page for
a more accurate estimate on your computer.
The program talks to
PrimeNet, a central server on the Internet, to get work
to do and report results. The program communicates using the HTTP protocol and
may require a little extra configuration to get through some firewalls. The program
only sends a few hundred bytes every week or two. Thus, there is no impact on
your network performance. The program does not require a continuous Internet connection
and if properly configured will not automatically dial out to establish an Internet
connection.
There are three types of work assigned by the server. PIII-900 and faster
computers get first-time primality tests. These tests require the most work and
have the best chance of finding a new Mersenne prime. Pentium-233 and faster computers
get double-check assignments. These assignments do not take as long and can find
a Mersenne prime only if the original test had a problem. The slowest computers
are assigned factoring work. This helps by eliminating some exponents for the
faster computers.
Every half hour the program saves its state so that if there is a computer
crash you will lose at most a half-hour of work. All temporary files and program
settings are conveniently stored in the same folder as the program.
Before you complete your assignment, the program will get more work to do.
This will assure that your computer has a continuous supply of work.
If you are lucky enough to find a new Mersenne prime, the program optionally
notifies the server and optionally emits a continuous sound to notify you of the
happy news!