Option 2: Virtual desktop has a volume and you plan to continue the analysis long-term

Choose this if you want to use the latest features and your analysis will continue long-term. Before you begin, make sure you read the instructions carefully and agree on the approach with your colleagues.

Step-by-step

• Step 1: Access desktop
• Step 2: Save all important data to the volume
• Step 3: Set permissions for shared access
• Step 4: Detach the volume
• Step 5: Create a new virtual desktop
• Step 6: Attach a volume to a virtual desktop
• Step 7: Delete old virtual desktop to save resources
• Step 8: Customising virtual desktop

Step 1: Access desktop

1. Login to SD Desktop. Select the correct CSC project in the top left corner. Now you can see all desktops in this project.

2. Make sure the virtual desktop you want to access is running. If it is paused, you need to unpause it before you can access it.

3. Access virtual desktop by clicking Access desktop on right side of the desktop name.

When you open the connection, a virtual desktop will open in your browser in a new window.

Step 2: Save all important data to the volume

All project members should save data they want to keep to the volume.

• Open Volume.
• Save data to the volume.

Step 3: Set permissions for shared access

All project members should set permissions to their own files.

After saving files to volume, adjust permissions for folders and files to enable access for other project members. By default, permissions are limited to your access only (orange lock icon).

• Ensuring full access to data on a volume across desktops

  ---

  Before detaching a volume, make sure all files and folders have read and write access for all project members. This is due to fact that in the new virtual machine, where the volume will be used afterwards, the mappings between machine specific user ID numbers and user accounts may be different than in the original virtual machine. In practice this means that the user account that owns of the data may change on the way.

Method 1: Use CSC Tools to set access permissions

1. If you haven't SD Tools installer already installed on your virtual desktop, follow these instructions (Steps 1-2).
2. Launch SD Tools installer. Remember that you've to have Data Gateway application open for it to work.

3. Install CSC Tools by clicking corresponding button. Wait for confirmation.

4. Open terminal from to left side of the desktop. Type in pre-volume-detach. This command fixes the access permissions.

5. Next, the command tells if there are other project members who should run this command as well. You should inform them if this happens.
6. You are then asked whether you want to make a backup copy of your home directory to the volume, allowing you to import its contents to the new virtual machine. Type y or n (Yes/No).
7. Next, the command asks whether you want to make a backup copy of your shared directory, which contains software installations. Type y or n (Yes/No).

Method 2: Set access permissions manually

By default, permissions are limited to your access only (orange lock icon).

1. Right-click the folder and select Properties.
2. Open the Permissions tab.

3. Set permissions to Create and Delete Files:

   • Owner -> Access -> Select “Create and delete files”.
   • Group -> Access -> Select “Create and delete files”.
   • Others -> Access -> Select “Create and delete files”.

   

4. Next select Change Permissions for Enclosed Files button to adjust file permisssions inside the folder.

5. Set permissions to Create and Delete files:

   • Owner -> Files -> Select “Read and write”. Folders -> Select “Create and delete files”.
   • Group -> Files -> Select “Read and write”. Folders -> Select “Create and delete files”.
   • Others -> Files -> Select “Read and write”. Folders -> Select “Create and delete files”.
   • Click Change.

   

6. Close the permission tab (top right corner).

The orange lock icon will no longer be visible next to folders and files and they can now be edited by all project members.

Note: If you open the enclosed file permission settings again, it looks like the settings haven't changed even though the permissions have been set correctly.

Step 4: Detach the volume

1. Log out of your virtual desktop.

2. Make sure you you have correct CSC project selected in Select project dropdown. Then click Manage volumes on the right side of the correct desktop.

In Manage volumes window

1. You will see a list of volumes. Click Detach on the right side of the volume you want to detach from the desktop.
2. Close the window when you are ready.

Step 5: Create a new virtual desktop

1. Make sure you you have correct CSC project selected in Select project dropdown.
2. Click Create desktop.

In Create desktop window

1. Select a name for your desktop. Choose a clear and descriptive name - especially if you're working on multiple projects - and make sure it only contains letters or numbers, with no special characters or spaces.
2. Select operating system. We recommend to choose Linux Ubuntu22. If you want to create a GPU desktop, please contact servicedesk@csc.fi (subject 'SD Desktop') before creation to confirm availability and receive further instructions.
3. Select a pre-built desktop option based on your needs.
4. Write optional description or note about the desktop to help your team members understand its purpose and contents.
5. Click Create. The window will now close and desktop creation will start.

After returning to the main page, you’ll see a list of your desktops in Desktops tab. Creating a desktop can take up to 30 minutes, during which a Creating label will appear next to its name. If you try to open it too soon, you’ll get an error message. Once the status changes to Running, the desktop is ready to use.

Step 6: Attach a volume to a virtual desktop

When you desktop is running, click Manage volumes on the right side of the correct desktop.

In Manage volumes window

1. You will see a list of volumes. Click Attach on the right side of the volume you want to attach to the desktop.
2. Close the window when you are ready.

• Access your desktop and verify that all data is accessible.

Step 7: Delete old virtual desktop to save resources

Users should delete old desktops to save resources.

• Warning

  You cannot undo this action. Please contact all the project members before deleting a virtual desktop.

1. Log out of your virtual desktop.

2. On the SD Desktop homepage, click Manage desktop on the right side of the old desktop.

3. Click Delete.

4. Confirm the operation via the notification.

Step 8: Customising virtual desktop

Continue to customise your desktop and learn about available software.

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