FAQs

When on-site, users may only attach their own computing devices (e.g. laptops, tablets, phones) to the Visitor Network.
 

This is available via WiFi (select 'DLS_VIS') or via the black Cat6 cables on the beamlines.
 

Access to experimental visit data is read-only from this network. Small volume (<20GB) file transfer is available but please note transfer speeds will be slow.

Your data will be stored and accessible on the Diamond file system for up to 40 days from the date of your visit.  See here for how to access your data.

After 40 days, your data will be available from the tape archive. See here for accessing your data from the archive.

The DataDispenser is a small 'headless' (i.e. No monitor or keyboard attached) Linux computer to which USB hard-drives can be connected. It is operated via a web-interface which will enable the streaming of your data directly to a portable disk that you can take with you when you leave.

You can use either USB-2 or USB-3 connections. (Newer DataDispensers do not have eSATA interfaces). USB-3 is faster so long as these 3 requirements are all satisfied:
 

1. Your Disk must be a USB-3 device
2. The connecting cable must be a USB-3 Cable
3. You must use a USB-3 port on the DataDispenser.

NoMachine is used to allow Remote Access to Diamond Computers from external sites. You can access computers on beamlines to monitor and control your experiments and you can access cluster resources for analysing your data after your visit has ended. Some data download via NoMachine is also possible. For more information on logging in via NoMachine, see here.

You will have access to the beamline systems needed to run your experiments and the data you collect. You will also have access to the internet.

During your session you will be able to log on to Diamond's computers using your FedID and password.

You can also access the beamline desktops remotely via the NoMachine service.

• During beamtime, you will be able to access all the capabilities of the beamline desktops to control your experiment or process your data.
   
• After beamtime you'll be able to view your data. (It is not advised to copy your data via NoMachine - use the 'access your data' instructions, or make sure you back-up your data during your session).

For access while on-site, see here.

For access after your visit has ended, see here.

During office hours, (08:30 - 17:00, Monday - Friday)

• Ask your Local Contact for initial help.
• If it's IT related, please contact the IT Help Desk at [email protected] or x8271.
• For general issues, please contact the User Office at [email protected] or x8571.

Outside of office hours, please contact the Experimental Hall Coordinator on x8787.

The cluster has a large number of processors etc. available for computing tasks. In order to make these resources available in a fair and open manner the cluster has a job scheduler/resource manager which organises when and where on the cluster your computing task is performed. The scheduler on the Diamond cluster is Univa Grid Engine (UGE).

A basic introduction to the Diamond cluster environment can be found in Confluence - You will need to log in with your FedID and password.