RCIF at WashU

Globus Overview

Globus is a secure, reliable data transfer service designed for research and scientific computing. It allows users to move large datasets between institutions, labs, and computing facilities. Key benefits include:

• Transfer files of any size reliably
• Automatic retry on failure
• Resume interrupted transfers
• Verify file integrity automatically
• Schedule transfers to run at specific times
• Receive notifications when transfers complete

Prerequisites

Before starting, you’ll need:

1. A WUSTL Key account
2. Appropriate permissions for the RCIF_CHPC storage systems
3. Administrator access on your local computer (for installing Globus Connect Personal)

Using Globus Connect Personal

Installation

1. Download Globus Connect Personal for your operating system from Globus Connect Personal
   • Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux
   • Choose the appropriate version for your system architecture (32-bit or 64-bit)
2. Install Globus Connect Personal:
   • Windows: Run the installer executable (.exe file)
   • macOS: Open the .dmg file and drag the application to Applications
   • Linux: Follow the distribution-specific installation instructions provided

Setting Up Your Local Endpoint

1. Launch Globus Connect Personal
2. Sign in using your institutional credentials:
   • Click “Log In”
   • Search for “Washington University in St. Louis”
   • Use your WUSTL Key credentials to authenticate
3. Configure your endpoint:
   • Name your endpoint (e.g., “MyLaptop-GlobusEndpoint”)
   • Choose which local directories to share
   • Select appropriate security settings
4. Keep Globus Connect Personal running during transfers

Transferring Data to RCIF_CHPC

Accessing the Web Interface

1. Log in to the Globus web interface
   • Use your WUSTL Key credentials as before
   • Select “Washington University in St. Louis” as your organization

Setting Up the Transfer

1. In the File Manager, configure your two endpoints:
   • Left panel: Select your local endpoint (created above)
   • Right panel: Add the RCIF_CHPC Collection
     • Collection name: RCIF_CHPC Collection (/ceph)
     • Endpoint: RCIF_CHPC
     • UUID: 4e6887fc-b5da-4283-93cb-dbfb7e2409d2
2. Navigate to source directory:
   • Use the left panel to browse your local files
   • Select files or folders you want to transfer
3. Navigate to destination directory:
   • Use the right panel to browse the RCIF_CHPC storage
   • Common destinations include:
     • /ceph/chpc/home/<username> (your home directory)
     • /ceph/chpc/shared/<group> (group shared space)

Initiating and Managing Transfers

1. Select files/folders to transfer:
   • Click on items in the source panel
   • Use Ctrl/Cmd+click for multiple selections
   • Use Shift+click for range selections
2. Start the transfer:
   • Click the “Start” button
   • Optional: Set transfer parameters
     • Verify file integrity
     • Encrypt transfer
     • Set sync options
     • Enable email notifications
3. Monitor transfer progress:
   • View active transfers in the Activity panel
   • Check transfer status and statistics
   • Review any errors or warnings

Transfer Best Practices

• Start with small transfers to test your setup
• Use sync options for large directory transfers
• Enable email notifications for long transfers
• Consider scheduling large transfers during off-peak hours
• Use labels to organize and track your transfers

Key Information

• Endpoint: RCIF_CHPC
• UUID: 4e6887fc-b5da-4283-93cb-dbfb7e2409d2
• View RCIF_CHPC Collection

Troubleshooting

Common Issues and Solutions

1. Connection Problems
   • Verify your internet connection
   • Ensure Globus Connect Personal is running
   • Check your firewall settings
   • Try restarting Globus Connect Personal
2. Permission Errors
   • Verify your RCIF_CHPC permissions
   • Check local folder permissions
   • Ensure you’re logged in with correct credentials
3. Transfer Failures
   • Review error messages in the Activity log
   • Check available space in destination
   • Try reducing transfer size
   • Enable verification and retry options

Performance Tips

• Use wired network connections when possible
• Close unnecessary applications during large transfers
• Monitor system resources during transfers
• Consider breaking very large transfers into smaller chunks

For Assistance

If you encounter issues:

1. Check the Globus documentation
2. Review our troubleshooting guide above
3. Visit our support page for additional help

Note: This collection is managed by Washington University in St. Louis. Ensure you have the necessary permissions before transferring data.