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File Transfer

Data Depot supports several methods for file transfer. Use the links below to learn more about these methods.

Globus

Globus

Globus, previously known as Globus Online, is a powerful and easy to use file transfer service for transferring files virtually anywhere. It works within RCAC's various research storage systems; it connects between RCAC and remote research sites running Globus; and it connects research systems to personal systems. You may use Globus to connect to your home, scratch, and Fortress storage directories. Since Globus is web-based, it works on any operating system that is connected to the internet. The Globus Personal client is available on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. It is primarily used as a graphical means of transfer but it can also be used over the command line.

Globus Web:

  • Navigate to http://transfer.rcac.purdue.edu
  • Click "Proceed" to log in with your Purdue Career Account.
  • On your first login it will ask to make a connection to a Globus account. Accept the conditions.
  • Now you are at the main screen. Click "File Transfer" which will bring you to a two-panel interface (if you only see one panel, you can use selector in the top-right corner to switch the view).
  • You will need to select one collection and file path on one side as the source, and the second collection on the other as the destination. This can be one of several Purdue endpoints, or another University, or even your personal computer (see Personal Client section below).

The RCAC collections are as follows. A search for "Purdue" will give you several suggested results you can choose from, or you can give a more specific search.

  • Home Directory storage: "Purdue Research Computing - Home Directories", however, you can start typing "Purdue" and "Home Directories" and it will suggest appropriate matches.
  • Weber scratch storage: "Purdue Weber Cluster", however, you can start typing "Purdue" and "Weber and it will suggest appropriate matches. From here you will need to navigate into the first letter of your username, and then into your username.
  • Research Data Depot: "Purdue Research Computing - Data Depot", a search for "Depot" should provide appropriate matches to choose from.
  • Fortress: "Purdue Fortress HPSS Archive", a search for "Fortress" should provide appropriate matches to choose from.

From here, select a file or folder in either side of the two-pane window, and then use the arrows in the top-middle of the interface to instruct Globus to move files from one side to the other. You can transfer files in either direction. You will receive an email once the transfer is completed.

Globus Personal Client setup:

Globus Connect Personal is a small software tool you can install to make your own computer a Globus endpoint on its own. It is useful if you need to transfer files via Globus to and from your computer directly.

  • On the "Collections" page from earlier, click "Get Globus Connect Personal" or download a version for your operating system it from here: Globus Connect Personal
  • Name this particular personal system and follow the setup prompts to create your Globus Connect Personal endpoint.
  • Your personal system is now available as a collection within the Globus transfer interface.

Globus Command Line:

Globus supports command line interface, allowing advanced automation of your transfers.

To use the recommended standalone Globus CLI application (the globus command):

Sharing Data with Outside Collaborators

Globus allows convenient sharing of data with outside collaborators. Data can be shared with collaborators' personal computers or directly with many other computing resources at other institutions. See the Globus documentation on how to share data:

For links to more information, please see Globus Support page and RCAC Globus presentation.

Windows Network Drive / SMB

SMB (Server Message Block), also known as CIFS, is an easy to use file transfer protocol that is useful for transferring files between RCAC systems and a desktop or laptop. You may use SMB to connect to your home, scratch, and Fortress storage directories. The SMB protocol is available on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. It is primarily used as a graphical means of transfer but it can also be used over the command line.

Note: to access Data Depot through SMB file sharing, you must be on a Purdue campus network or connected through VPN.

Windows:

  • Windows 7: Click Windows menu > Computer, then click Map Network Drive in the top bar
  • Windows 8 & 10: Tap the Windows key, type computer, select This PC, click Computer > Map Network Drive in the top bar
  • Windows 11: Tap the Windows key, type File Explorer, select This PC, click Computer > Map Network Drive in the top bar
  • In the folder location enter the following information and click Finish:
    • To access your Data Depot directory, enter \\datadepot.rcac.purdue.edu\depot\mylab where mylab is your research group name. Use your career account login name, sername@purdue.edu, and password when prompted. (You will not need to add ",push" nor use your Purdue Duo client.)
  • Note: Use your career account login name and password when prompted. (You will not need to add ",push" nor use your Purdue Duo client.)
  • Your home or scratch directory should now be mounted as a drive in the Computer window.

Mac OS X:

  • In the Finder, click Go > Connect to Server
  • In the Server Address enter the following information and click Connect:
    • To access your Data Depot directory, enter smb://datadepot.rcac.purdue.edu/depot/mylab where mylab is your research group name. Use your career account login name and password when prompted. (You will not need to add ",push" nor use your Purdue Duo client.)
  • Note: Use your career account login name and password when prompted. (You will not need to add ",push" nor use your Purdue Duo client.)
  • Your home or scratch directory should now be mounted as a drive in the Computer window.

Linux:

  • There are several graphical methods to connect in Linux depending on your desktop environment. Once you find out how to connect to a network server on your desktop environment, choose the Samba/SMB protocol and adapt the information from the Mac OS X section to connect.
  • If you would like access via samba on the command line you may install smbclient which will give you FTP-like access and can be used as shown below. For all the possible ways to connect look at the Mac OS X instructions. 
    smbclient //datadepot.rcac.purdue.edu/depot/ -U myusername
cd mylab
  • Note: Use your career account login name and password when prompted. (You will not need to add ",push" nor use your Purdue Duo client.)
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