General (RDSnx)
What Is It
RDSnx offers users access to high performance computing infrastructure running windows server operating systems. This provides a graphical interface similar to what users are using on windows desktop systems. It lives between a “normal” desktop computer and high performance computing clusters like Euler and Leonhard. The goal is to offer users computing power without the learning curve of a command line interface and also is able to run most windows programs.
Or, Simpler
The RDSnx is a virtual computer that can execute your scripts and do lengthy calculations for you. Don’t bother your main computer with calculations.
Applications That You Can Run on the RDSnx
Everything in the ETH Kiosk.
What We Use It For
The RDSnx can be used for anything that needs to be calculated and runs under Windows. We use the RDSnx mainly for on-demand flux calculations. SRPs start flux calculations on their RDSnx account and then let it run until it is finished, without cluttering their work computer.
How You Can Use It
Step 1: Connect to the RDSnx virtual computer
Chances are good that the link to the RDSnx is already on your computer. On Windows, click your Windows button and navigate to the folder RDSNX Resources (RADC), and select the entry scientific_application_servers (RDSNX Resources). This will take you to the (Windows) desktop of the virtual PC. If you cannot see these entries in your Windows menu, please see here for instructions how to connect to the RDSnx.
-
- The Windows 10 start menu entry for RDSNX Resources (RADC).
-
- The virtual Windows desktop on the RDSnx.
Step 2: On the RDSnx, start the Python prompt
On the RDSnx, click on the Windows button in the lower left corner and go to the menu folder Development & Computing, then click on Anaconda3 Cmd 5. Starting the prompt does take a little while, normally approx. one minute. We will use this prompt to start flux calculations in Step 4.
-
- The Anaconda3 Cmd 5 start menu entry on the RDSnx.
Step 3: Go to your site folder
In this example, we go to the site folder for the RDSnx CH-LAE flux calculations on our group drive: P:\Flux\RDS_calculations\LAE
In there, you will find the file start_FCT.py. This is the file that we use to start the flux calculations in the next step.
-
- An example for a site folder that we use for flux calculations on the RDSnx.
Step 4: Prepare the start of the flux calculations
Not it’s time to start the flux calculations. If you made it this far, it means that you really want to calculate fluxes.
If you followed the description, you should now have two windows open: the prompt and the site folder. In the prompt, type python followed by an empty space: python
Now go to the site folder, click left on start_FCT.py and hold the mouse button, then move the mouse over to the prompt and release the button, i.e. drag-and-drop the file to the prompt.
The prompt will now show python start_FCT.py.
-
- The Anaconda prompt and the site folder. The start_FCT.py file name was drag-and-dropped into the prompt.
Step 5: Start!
Now we need to start the calculations. Make sure the focus is on the prompt window (e.g. by clicking on its title bar) and then simply hit enter. Now the calculations will start!