The SRCIT FAQ
From SRCIT Public
General
Q: How do I file a ticket?
A: Visit the Helpdesk website and open a ticket under Request Type: SRCIT.
Q: Can't I just email one of the SRCIT staff or stop by your office? What if I don't want to file a ticket?
A: There are various methods for addressing problems, but the ticketing system is certainly the most efficient, as the request is sent to all members of the staff concurrently. The ticketing system is monitored regularly and issues and requests are addressed quickly.
If you still feel that you would rather not file a ticket, please send email to SRCIT@stevens.edu
Q: How do I find my Campus Wide ID (CWID)?
A: Login to Pipeline at http://cpipe.stevens.edu, and then on the left under "Bookmarks Plus" click the link named "Campus Wide ID Lookup".
Q: I have an account on the SRCIT system. Now what do I do?
A: The primary interface to the SRCIT system is via ssh. You may use an ssh client from Windows, Linux or Mac OS X to login to Linux Lab or your SRCIT desktop system.
Q: How do I change my password on the SRCIT sytems?
A: You may change your password at any time using the command passwd. Account passwords expire every six months by default currently. Please review our password policy for assistance with password guidelines.
Q: I tried to login to my desktop from home, but it doesn't work. What do I do?
A: Stevens Information Technology has requested that all desktop systems have limited external network exposure. As such, you may login to your desktop system one of two ways:
[1] Login to the Linux_Lab, then to your desktop using the following command (from the command line):
ssh username@linux-lab.<dept>.stevens.edu
where username = your username and dept = cs, phy,math, or chem (all depts go to the same place, so there is no requirement to
use any in particular).
then, ssh hostname.dept
where hostname = the name of your desktop, and dept = the name of your dept (chem, cs, ece, math, phy, etc.)
[2] Login to the Stevens VPN and connect directly to your desktop using the following command (from the command line):
ssh username@hostname.dept
where username = your username, hostname = the name of your desktop, and dept = the name of your dept (chem, cs, ece, math, phy, etc.)
Q: I heard that there is a local Linux mirror. Where is it?
A: You can access the SRCIT local Debian mirror here and the local Ubuntu mirror here. It does not yet contain packages for all architectures (i386 and amd64 only). A complete mirror will be brought online this summer.
Q: I have a newly deployed SRCIT Linux system. Are there any suggestions on how I should name my system?
A: Please review our system name suggested policy for guidelines on naming your system.
Q: I am working with non-Stevens colleagues and would like the ability to share collaborative data. What do I need to do?
A: We are able to create accounts for your non-Stevens colleagues as long as we know in advance. Please file a Helpdesk ticket under Request Type: SRCIT, Request and we will be able to assist you with setup of accounts and other appropriate services.
Q: I filed a ticket requesting a Subversion (SVN) repository and one was created for me. Now what do I do?
A: Please visit our Subversion page for instructions and related information on Subversion usage.
Filespace
Q: I would like copy my files from my local system to the SRCIT environment. How do I go about doing so?
A: It depends. If you are comfortable using the command line, then scp should work just fine for you. If you find the usage of the command line to be impenetrable, then a better option may be gftp or secpanel on Linux systems, fugu on Mac systems, or WinSCP on Windows systems. Once you have mastered copying your files to the SRCIT system, you may then review the concept of keeping your files in sync between your various systems, detailed below.
Q: My laboratory group needs filespace for research data. How do I go about requesting storage space?
A: File a Helpdesk ticket, Request Type: SRCIT, Project Space.
Q: I need to store software for my laboratory group that requires group access. Should I store software on the SRCIT system in my home directory or project space?
A: You should not store licensed software for group access on the SRCIT system. Software and other licensed materials should remain local to your laboratory group or be handled by Stevens Information Technology and stored on Storage01
Q: Why doesn't SRCIT have a NetApp?
A: NetApp's are expensive! We also like the Sun Unified Storage architecture, especially since it works very nicely with ZFS, but that's also expensive.
Q: Why doesn't SRCIT implement RAID 6 on the XServe RAIDs?
A: The Apple XServe RAID doesn't do RAID 6, unfortunately.
Q: Why does SRCIT implement RAID 5+1 instead of a RAID 1 or RAID 10?
A: In the current deployment, there is relatively little storage benefit from implementing RAID 1 or RAID 10. We will review this as community storage requirements change.
Q: Undergraduate Students: Why is my quota only 512MB by default? Is this 1999?
A: Student quotas are set to 512MB by default because we like to allocate space based on who intends to use it. If you find that your quota is too small you may request an upgrade by filing a Helpdesk ticket, Request Type: SRCIT.
We are always happy to increase your quota, as long as:
-You are not using your storage space for mp3s or other non-academic data
-We are not running out of storage space
Q: Faculty, Research and Staff: I am running out of quota. Do I need to buy an external hard drive for my data?
A: While it not necessarily a bad idea to store multiple copies of your data, as long as you are able to keep your versions in sync, you do not need to buy an external hard drive if you are running out of quota space. You may simply ask for more space by filing a Helpdesk ticket, Request Type: SRCIT, Miscellaneous. We'll be happy to provide the space as long as we have it to spare.
Q: You just mentioned this really nice utility called rsync, but I followed the link and it seems too hard for me to use. How can I take advantage of the functionality of rsync without the complexity?
A: There are some very nice easy to use tools out there of the GUI and command line variety, such as:
and
We will be providing details instructions on typical usage of these software packages on this wiki in the near future.
Alternatively, you may request an SRCIT Subversion repository, which is very useful for collaborative work as well as keeping all of your own files in sync.
Linux Lab
Q: Why does my password have to be so long and hard to remember?
A: SRCIT requires a certain level of password strength for user passwords in order to make the system more secure. Of course, passwords are only as strong as the method by which users remember them. For that reason SRCIT suggests that you review memory techniques for remembering your password.
Q: Why don't my pipeline credentials work on the SRCIT system?
A: Campus pipeline uses a separate authentication system.
Q: My colleague/friend/roommate gave me her account credentials, but I am having trouble logging in. What should I do?
A: First of all, tell your colleague/friend/roommate that it is bad practice to share account credentials and a violation of most every account Terms of Service, including ours. Then, you should visit the Helpdesk ticketing system and request an account, Request Type: SRCIT, Accounts
Q: Why shouldn't I share my account credentials? I am working on a collaborative project.
A: There are simply better ways to work on collaborative projects than sharing account credentials. For example, collaboration is easy if you and your colleagues request a Subversion repository.
Q: OK, I requested an account, but I have not received my credentials. Are you going to create an account for me already?
A: Please login to the Helpdesk ticketing system and check the status of your account request. We change the status of the account request to private so that your unique password string is not communicated through email.
Q: I have heard that I can login to the linux-lab using ssh keys. How do I do that?
A: You can take a look at the manual page for ssh-keygen if you are on a Linux or Mac system, or for Windows download PuttyGen. Instructions for generating your ssh keys may be found here.
Once you key has been generated, file a Helpdesk ticket, Request Type: SRCIT, Accounts. Attach your _public_ key to the ticket. Please remember to save the private key -- you will need it to authenticate and log in later.
Q: How do I change my shell?
A: You can change your shell by following these instructions.
Q: How do I change my locale?
A: Please review these instructions on changing your locale.
Q: What are the SSH Fingerprints for the Linux-Lab systems?
A: The ssh fingerprints for the the Linux-Lab systems are available here.
Backup and Restore
Q: I accidentally deleted a file/directory I created three weeks ago. How do I request a restore?
A: Please visit the Helpdesk ticketing system. File your ticket under Request Type: SRCIT, Data Restore
Q: I created a directory today, mv'd a bunch of files into the directory, and deleted it accidentally later the same day. How do I request a restore?
A: First, check you're ~/.zfs/snapshot directory (that is, the .zfs directory in your home directory) to determine whether a useful and accessible copy resides in your home directory. If a working copy exists in your ~/.zfs/snapshot/amanda-_export_home_username-{0,1,2} copy the working copy to you home directory immediately, as your zfs snapshot could be overwritten in the next run[1].
If the directory you require is not available, you may file a ticket and we will determine whether your data is in our most recent incremental backup.
Note: Your .zfs directory WILL NOT APPEAR when typing ls. You must cd into your .zfs directory and list the contents.
[1] For more information on zfs snapshot functionality, please see []
Q: What technology does SRCIT use for the backup and restore system?
A: Currently, we are using the third generation Linear Tape Open technology on a Scalar 100 library with two LTO3 drives.
Q: Given that the cost of disks is so low, why does SRCIT perform backup to tape?
A: For several reasons. First and foremost, we have a relatively decent LTO3 tape library with a capacity of ~30TB of uncompressed data.
Also, we find handling tapes is much easier that disks for archival purposes. At a later date, we will investigate the applicability of backup
and restore technologies such as a D2D2T in our environment.
Q: What is the basis for your backup and archiving methodology?
A: First and foremost, to maximize the protection of your data on the SRCIT system with a useful and affordable solution. Additionally, our objective is to minimize human error by automating the backup process through properly configured backup software.
Our tape library, the ADIC (now Quantum) Scalar 100, has 54 slots available in the current configuration.
Slot 1 - 12 are installed in a mailbox, Slot 1 is used by a cleaning tape, to maintain functionality of the LTO3 drives. Slots 2 - 12 are used for monthly backup. When monthly backup run is finished, the tapes will be verified ans then securely stored.
Slots 13 - 54 are used for daily backup. Each nightly incremental backup run consumes 2 tapes, with 5 runs scheduled per week.
Tape reuse cycle is 4 weeks: 2 (tapes) x 5 (incremental backups per week) x 4 (weeks) = 40
Two additional tapes are used for possible tape media failure
We use zfs snapshot to do monthly backup for the following reasons:
- Backup open files
- Restore individual file. If there is a problem with a partially damaged tape, the damage only impact limited files, not the entire archive
- Restore files without using zfs file system
- Always provides a full backup
- Save server space
We use zfs sendrecv to do daily backups for the following reasons:
- Backup open files
- Efficient incremental backup
- User accessible snapshots are present on the file system until the next lower level backup (typically 1-3 days)
- Allows for two copies of backup (snapshots on tape and snapshots on zfs file system) on a temporary basis
- Maintains zfs ACL
* Snapshot(s) are available for possible user self restoring
Q: Am I able to restore my zfs snapshot myself? Solaris documentation touts this as a primary feature of zfs
A: Yes, to a certain extent this is possible. Your zfs snapshot is created when the daily backup runs. It is a read-only copy of your file system at the time the snapshot is created. The snapshot(s) exists in your ~/.zfs/snapshot/amanda-_export_home_username-{0,1,2} . The number stands for the backup level.
a. You can restore the files yourself if you find them in your snapshot directory. If not, you will need to file a ticket
b. You cannot use the snapshot in your ~/.zfs/snapshot to rollback your file system yourself.
Q: Do you have plans to support backup of standalone systems?
A: We are currently investigating software options that we may endorse for backup and recovery for standalone systems.
Q: Why can you not restore individual emails?
A: It is much more practical to restore an email archive, rather than individual emails. The affected user may then restore individual emails as needed.
Q: Does having a backup system implemented mean that I can be reckless with the handling of my data?
A: No, not really. Being reckless with your data is never suggested. Having a backup system to rely on should be thought
of as an additional layer of protection against possible data loss, not a license to cease keeping track of your data.
Linux Services
Q: Does consulting with SRCIT require that I use your Linux distribution?
A: No. We will be happy to meet with you to discuss your technology infrastructure needs and how SRCIT service offerings may fit into your plans.
Wiki Services
Q: How do I do I request that a private (or public) wiki be created for me or my laboratory group?
A: File a Helpdesk ticket. Request Type: SRCIT, Web/Wiki
