4.1.1 Register with NGS here
4.1.2 Register to use the visualization cluster at http://hpcsg.esc.rl.ac.uk/viscluster/user.html
4.1.3 Install VirtualGL Client on user machine from http://www.virtualgl.org/Downloads/VirtualGL.
4.1.4 Start X Server installation on desktop. Linux PCs have built in X Server, Windows users need to install either HummingBird or equivalent X Server.
4.1.5 Install GSISSH Term on desktop from http://www.grid-support.ac.uk/content/view/81/195/ .
4.2.1 Run GSISSH Term (Step 4.1.5).
4.2.2 Click on File->New Connection. A dialog box will appear.
4.2.3 Enter the Host to Connect to value as “ngs.rl.ac.uk” without quotes and click on OK.
4.2.4 Follow the instructions as in the link http://www.grid-support.ac.uk/content/view/134/195/
4.3.1 Follow the login procedure as in 4.2
4.3.2 Start VirtualGL Client.(In windows at default location, C:\ProgramFiles\VirtualGL-2xxx\vglclient.exe this will automatically start hummingbird if not started)
4.3.3 In GSISSH Terminal Window, type:
visbsub -vglexec -n 1 -- /usr/X11R6/bin/glxgears
This will print a message on screen such as
Using port number 58596 on ngs - please forward this port
If using gsissh, type:
~C
Then:
-R 58596:localhost:4242
If using gsissh-term, set up an Incoming tunnel of port 58596 to 4242
4.3.4Click on menu Tools->Secure Tunneling. A window will appear, Click on “New Tunnel”. Another window will appear prompting to enter
Listening Port(remote server): This will be the number as highlighted in the red in 4.3.3.
Destination Host: localhost
Destination Port: 4242
Then Click on Ok button and close the Secure Tunneling window.
4.3.5 Press enter key to continue.
4.3.6 A window will appear with three gears rotating. If you don’t get this window then there is some problem with the configuration on desktop. One of the issue is with firewalls.
4.4.1 Follow the login procedure as 4.2
4.4.2 Start VirtualGL Client.(In windows at default location, C:\ProgramFiles\VirtualGL-2xxx\vglclient.exe this will automatically start hummingbird if not started)
4.4.3 In GSISSH Terminal Window, type:
visbsub -n 5 -vglscript -- pv261
You can change the number 5 to the required number of nodes to be used for paraview.
The above command will print a message
This will print a message on screen such as
Using port number 58596 on ngs - please forward this port
If using gsissh, type:
~C
Then:
-R 58596:localhost:4242
If using gsissh-term, set up an Incoming tunnel of port 58596 to 4242
4.4.4 Click on menu Tools->Secure Tunnelling. A window will appear, Click on “New Tunnel”. Another window will appear prompting to enter
Listening Port(remote server): This will be the number as highlighted in the red in 4.3.3.
Destination Host: localhost
Destination Port: 4242
Then Click on Ok button and close the Secure Tunnelling window.
4.4.5 Press enter key to continue.
4.4.6 Paraview Client will appear in user desktop.
As part of qualifying for the Affiliate status, we have set up a formal HelpDesk and ticketing system which can be used for trouble shooting while getting started. The Scientific Applications Group also offer a limited hand-holding software and visualization expertise support to encourage take up by application developers. vizNET, NGS and STFC have been actively encouraging take up of the system. Initial indications are that the users require quite a lot of support to get using remote resources and then also help with adopting their data to the tools and visualization modules. The resource level required for such support is far beyond current provision. Given the user interest even at this beginning stage, it is obvious that advanced visualization for scientific productivity can be achieved with allocation of more resources to employ support staff.