MSCF - Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What does the acronym EMSL mean?
  2. What does the acronym MSCF mean?
  3. Who do I contact to get help at the MSCF?
  4. How do I get an account?
  5. What do I need to know when logging onto MSCF Computers for the first time?
  6. How are the machines configured?
  7. What application software is available to me and how do I use it?
  8. How do I backup or archive my data?
  9. How do I use the batch queues? or How do I submit jobs?
  10. I have a lot of data I have produced. How do I visualize it and who can help me with this?
  11. How do I move my data from AFS to NFS on MSCF Computers?
  12. How do I run my own code on MSCF Computers?
  13. Can I get a refund if my job dies?
  14. What do I do if I forget my password?
  15. How can I copy a file across the firewall from MSCF Computers?

Answers

Q. What does the acronym EMSL mean?

EMSL stands for Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory. See the MSCF Glossary for other names and abbreviations (Glossary button at the top of this page).

Q. What does the acronym MSCF mean?

MSCF stands for Molecular Science Computing Facility.

Q. Who do I contact to get help at the MSCF?

Check out the MSCF help contact page.

Q. How do I get an account?

Check out Getting An Account on the Accounts page.

Q. What do I need to know when logging onto MSCF Computers for the first time?

Check out First Time Logging In. See also Using Resources.

Q. How are the machines configured?

Check out Parallel Computers on the Computer Hardware page.

Q. What application software is available to me and how do I use it?

Check out the Applications Software on the Software page.

Q. How do I backup or archive my data?

Check out Storing and Backing Up Data on the Using Resources page.

Q. How do I use the batch queues? or How do I submit jobs?

Check out Submitting and Managing Jobs on the Using Resources page.

Q. I have a lot of data I have produced. How do I visualize it and who can help me with this?

Check out the MSCF Graphics and Visualization Laboratory (GVL).

Q. How do I move my data from AFS to NFS on MSCF Computers?

The best way to move files between NFS and AFS is to first login. By default, you will be in your NFS home space. Verify that you have AFS tokens (type 'klog' and enter your AFS password to get tokens.) Your AFS home space is in /msrc/home/. At this point, you can "simply" use the Unix cp or mv commands just like you normally would.

Q. How do I run my own code on MSCF Computers?

For tips on compiling your code on MSCF Computers, see Compilers under Software. Additional assistance can be obtained by contacting the Scientific Consulting group.

Q. Can I get a refund if my job dies?

Refunds of account allocation times are granted on a case-by-case basis. For more details, see Getting a Refund.

Q. What do I do if I forget my password?

If you forget your password, send a message to support@emsl.pnl.gov.

Q. How can I copy a file across the firewall from MSCF Computers?

Use secure shell copy. From your external computer type scp <computername>.emsl.pnl.gov:/<ourdirectorypath>/<yourfilename> ./<localfile> then enter your password when prompted.