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| manuals:virtualdesktopserver [2020/11/18 08:57] – [How to use the Virtual Desktop Server] deul | manuals:virtualdesktopserver [2022/04/04 07:13] (current) – [How to use the Virtual Desktop Server] jansen |
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| ====== Virtual Desktop Server ====== | ====== Virtual Desktop Server ====== |
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| Leiden Observatory provides a cluster of six powerful compute servers that bachelor and master students can use for their research projects. Students are expected to use their own laptop or home computer (or possibly some other device) to connect to the cluster via the internet. This page provides information on how to connect to the cluster, and some basic information on how to use it. More general information about the computer environment and the software used by Leiden Observatory can be found [[:sterrewacht_strw|here]]. **Be aware that the storage space available to users on the ''/home'' disk is very limited** and student should familiarise themselves with the [[linux:disk_quota| disk quota system]] in place on the /home disk to avoid issues. | Leiden Observatory provides a cluster of six powerful compute servers that Sterrewachters can use for their research projects (the old ''bach1,2,3'' servers are now integrated in this system and the original ''/net/bach#/data2'' disks have been copied to ''/net/vdesk/data2/bach#''). Students are expected to use their own laptop or home computer (or possibly some other device) to connect to the cluster via the internet. This page provides information on how to connect to the cluster, and some basic information on how to use it. More general information about the computer environment and the software used by Leiden Observatory can be found [[:sterrewacht_strw|here]]. **Be aware that the storage space available to users on the ''/home'' disk is very limited** and student should familiarize themselves with the [[linux:disk_quota| disk quota system]] in place on the /home disk to avoid issues. You can store your research data on the ''/data2'' disk which has no quota. **Note**: Do NOT use the ''/data1'' disk. It is small and not for you to use! |
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| ===== Overview ===== | ===== Overview ===== |
| ^ Normal workstation ^ Medium workstation ^ Large workstation ^ | ^ Normal workstation ^ Medium workstation ^ Large workstation ^ |
| |{{:manuals:vdesk_normalworkstation.png?250 }} | {{ :manuals:vdesk_mediumworkstation.png?250 }} | {{ :manuals:vdesk_largeworkstation.png?250}} | | |{{:manuals:vdesk_normalworkstation.png?250 }} | {{ :manuals:vdesk_mediumworkstation.png?250 }} | {{ :manuals:vdesk_largeworkstation.png?250}} | |
| | - Default; normal jobs | - Computation intensive jobs | - Heavy jobs | | | - Default; normal jobs | - Computation intensive jobs | - Heavy or memory intensive jobs | |
| | - 1 CPU | - 3 CPUs | - 6 CPUs | | | - 1 CPU | - 3 CPUs | - 6 CPUs | |
| | - 8 GB RAM | - 16 GB RAM | - 32 GB RAM | | | - 8 GB RAM | - 16 GB RAM | - 32 GB RAM | |
| ===Reconnect to a virtual Workstation=== | ===Reconnect to a virtual Workstation=== |
| {{ :manuals:running_workstation.png?250|}} * To reconnect to your running virtual workstation you login again on the [[https://vdesk.strw.leidenuniv.nl|virtual desktop server]]. In the Dashboard you will see your running virtual Workstation still active. To connect to that running virtual workstation, press the blue bar with the text ''Launch STRW Normal/Medium/Large Workstation''. This will open a new tab in your browser with a graphical interface to the server putting you back where you left off. \\ | {{ :manuals:running_workstation.png?250|}} * To reconnect to your running virtual workstation you login again on the [[https://vdesk.strw.leidenuniv.nl|virtual desktop server]]. In the Dashboard you will see your running virtual Workstation still active. To connect to that running virtual workstation, press the blue bar with the text ''Launch STRW Normal/Medium/Large Workstation''. This will open a new tab in your browser with a graphical interface to the server putting you back where you left off. \\ |
| | Note that you can reconnect also from a different computer (eg, connect from your desktop at home and start a session, close your laptop, travel to the institute, reconnect from a desktop in a computer room and continue your session)\\ |
| \\ \\ \\ | \\ \\ \\ |
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| | ===== Storing and accessing your project data ===== |
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| | Project data can be stored on the disk storage connected to the virtual desktop server. **It is important that you avoid storing project data in your /home directory as the amount of storage you have on the /home disk is [[linux:disk_quota| limited]].** If your exceed your quota on the /home disk, you will be unable to connect to the Sterrewacht computers and receive email. From your virtual desktop you can access the storage device via the ''/data2'' path. From any other Linux computer on the Leiden Observatory network, you can access your project data via ''/net/vdesk/data2''. To keep the data from many users organized, please open a terminal and create a sub-directory with your Leiden Observatory username to store your data in. For example: |
| | <code> |
| | mkdir /net/vdesk/data2/jklaassen |
| | cd /net/vdesk/data2/jklaassen |
| | ... etc ... |
| | </code> |
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| | Please note that the data storage connected to the virtual desktop server is not meant for long-term storage. In principle, all data areas will be cleared after a student finishes to make room for newly arriving students. At the end of the project, the students and their supervisors are responsible for copying away any data that needs to be stored long-term, or discuss possible data retention options with the [[helpdesk@strw.leidenuniv.nl|Leiden Observatory IT department]]. Also, please refrain from storing lots of personal data (vacation pictures, cat videos, etc.) on the storage device. |
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| ===== Tips and tricks ===== | ===== Tips and tricks ===== |
