Quick Start Guide

Introduction
Getting an account
Logging in
Choosing a resource
Shell environment
Mass Store access
More information

Introduction

The Data Analysis and Services Group provides computing and storage resources for supporting scientific data post-processing, analysis and visualization. Computing resources are presently provided in two basic flavors: 1) multi-user processing platforms suitable for interactive or batch execution of scientific data processing languages such as the NCAR Command Language (NCL), ITT's IDL, Matlab, and others; and 2) single-user, hardware-accelerated, interactive graphics platforms capable of running advanced 3D visualization applications. Both platform types offer large physical memories and moderate numbers of shared processors. All systems are attached to DASG's high-performance, high-capacity shared file system, enabling users to freely move from platform to platform without copying or moving their data.

Getting an account

All account requests are handled through the CISL Resource Allocation Process. While we don't currently charge for the use of Lab resources, you will need to have an allocation for Mass Store use and to obtain your Lab account. To request an account either fill out a Customer Support Ticket or call Customer Support at 303-497-1200.

Logging in

Once you have an account, you will login to one of the Lab hosts using your CRYPTOCard. To ensure that you get a valid DISPLAY variable set, make sure to use the -X option with ssh. If you are logging in from outside the NCAR network, you will need connect to the NCAR network first either through a gateway node or a VPN session.

NOTE: You do not need to login through roy to access these machines. Hosts are in the scd.ucar.edu domain.

Example - Already connected to the NCAR network:

      desktop [1] ssh -X gale.scd.ucar.edu
      CryptoCard Challenge "34219310": enter your code here
      gale [1]

Example - Connecting from outside of the NCAR network:

      desktop [1] ssh -X gate.ucar.edu
      CryptoCard Challenge ""34219310": enter your code here
      UCAR SSH Proxy (? for help)> breeze.scd.ucar.edu
      breeze [1]

Login Access Diagram

If you suspect that your CRYPTOCard may be out of sync, follow the resync directions at How to resynchronize your CRYPTOCard or on the cardboard insert inside the gray case that came with your CRYPTOCard. If you need further assistance with your CRYPTOCard call 303-497-1278.

Choosing a resource

The Lab provides a variety of resources geared towards different types of analysis and visualization work.

For general work, not requiring hardware accelerated graphics, users can ssh in to one of the data analysis cluster nodes, gale, breeze, gust, or hail. All of nodes are suitable for large memory analysis jobs.

If you are planning on running an OpenGL based application that benefits from a hardware graphics accelerator, such as VTK, Paraview, OpenDX, or VAPOR, you will need to use one of the visualization clusters storm nodes. The storm nodes are single-user workstations whose graphics systems can only be accessed by logging on directly to the console via DASG's remote visualization services, HPRGS and Sun VirtualGL. Both services require client software installation on the workstation you plan on accessing the storm resources from.

Complete information on HPRGS may be found on the HP Remote Graphics Service page.

Complete information on Sun VirtualGL may be found on the Sun VirtualGL page.

To see which storm nodes are currently available, consult the Status Page.

Shell environment

All accounts are initially setup to use tcsh by default and DASG strongly recommends that /fs/local/bin and /fs/local/32/bin be added at the head of your execution search path, in that order. Many third party applications are found in these locations. Furthermore, your LD_LIBRARY_PATH must contain /fs/local/lib and /fs/local/32/lib in that order.

The complete execution and shared library search paths recommended for all DASG systems are as follows:

Execution search path:

      /usr/local/bin /fs/local/bin /fs/local/32/bin /usr/sbin /sbin 
      /usr/bin /bin /usr/X11R6/bin $HOME/bin .

Library search path:

      /usr/local/lib:/fs/local/lib:/fs/local/32/lib

There are basic dot files for tcsh, sh, bash, and ksh located in /fs/local/skel. You may copy these files to your home directory and then edit them with your personal preferences.

      cp /fs/local/skel/.tcshrc $HOME/.tcshrc
      cp /fs/local/skel/.login $HOME/.login
      cp /fs/local/skel/.profile $HOME/.profile

If you would like a different default shell or help with your environment, please submit a request using the CISL Customer Support system.

Mass Store access

All the analysis and visualization servers have high speed access to the NCAR Mass Store system through use of the DCS software. To get going quickly with DCS, see the MSS Quick Reference Guide. For complete information on Mass Store system, see the NCAR Mass Storage Service User Reference Guide.

More information

Overview of Computing at NCAR
CISL Consulting Services Group