Accessing SLAC Computers

Basic information for BABAR Collaborators regarding obtaining a SLAC Unix (and/or XP) account, accessing SLAC computers remotely, and bringing computers to SLAC.

Last Updated: 03 Oct 2006

General Requirements for a SLAC Account

To get access to BABAR computing and directories at SLAC, you must go through the following steps which are described in more detail below (note that if you already have a SLAC Unix account for some other reason, you must still check this list and perform any needed actions to ensure access to BABAR-specific resources):

Other issues:

• Checking the status of your account and its configuration.
• Forgotten your password?
• Need more disk space?
• Information about scratch disk space usage
• Bringing your laptop or desktop computer to SLAC. (Note that laptops with wireless ethernet may freely DHCP at SLAC.)
• Accessing SLAC computers remotely.

Windows account issues:

Objectivity access

SLAC Unix Account Forms

To get a user account on the SLAC Central Unix or Windows facilities you must first file an application. Application forms may be obtained in one of two ways:

• SLAC Computer Account Form (version of 1/23/2001)

1. Your name (please print legibly in LARGE letters, especially if you plan to FAX your application)
2. Your SLAC office coordinates (if you have them)
3. Your SID ID, if you know it. Do not worry if you do not know your SID ID. This id will be filled in by the Helpdesk when the account is created.
4. Your off-site coordinates *** Please add your off-site email address
5. For your new account, check "Central UNIX" and "Windows XP"
6. Check "New Account" and fill in your requests for a UserID (login name).
7. For email routing most users will wish to check "Unix server".
   NOTE: If you check "Exchange server", then you must also request an "Exchange" account earlier on the form. Email received on the Exchange server can be read by Netscape (via IMAP/SSL) or other browser's email functions (or even a browser without special email capabilities) and, thus, can be readily accessed via both Unix and Windows operating systems. Configuring such an arrangement is beyond the scope of this document but see this web page for more information,http://www.slac.stanford.edu/comp/net/email/index.html
8. Check "Additional instructions or special group requirements" and write "Please add to unix group bfactory"
9. Do NOT sign the "Authorized Signature" area (and do NOT have your P.I. sign this form as it will be rejected)
10. If you are offsite (not at SLAC) and cannot pick up your account and password information, write the word offsite on the "Additional instructions" line. The information will be emailed to the address specified on the request form (this should match the address in the database). Otherwise the Helpdesk will hold your account information for pickup.
• Both the Account form and the Responsibilities form should be returned to Charlotte Hee or Gregory Dubois-Felsmann for authorization. This can be done in person or via fax, +1-650-926-2657. (If you have questions about the transmission you may call the BABAR Administration Office at +1-650-926-2363.) It can take several business days from the time this occurs until an account is created.
• Once established, account information (userid and initial password) may be picked up in person at the HELP Desk in building 50. You will need a photo ID to get this information. Otherwise, SCS will either contact you by telephone (if you are onsite) or send your account information in email. If account information is sent by email the user will have 48 hours to change the password otherwise it will be disabled and the user will have to contact the HELP desk to have it reset. You may wish to contact the HELP Desk if you don't hear from them in a reasonable amount of time. For security reasons, you must change your new, temporary password within 48 hours! Once the account has been created, further questions should be directed to the SCS HELP Desk, +1-650-926-HELP (926-4357), not the BABAR Administration Office or the Group C secretariat.
  Note: Slac usually closes during Christmas and New Year for about 2 weeks. All new account requests during this period must be completed by the Wednesday before the shutdown. Any new accounts that have exceeded the 48-hour time limit to change the password or have not changed the password by 5pm of the Wednesday before the shutdown (whichever comes first) will be disabled until after the shutdown. New accounts that miss the deadline will be created after the shutdown.

Check that your SLAC Unix userid is in the BABAR database

Our AFS disk directories are made accessible to BABAR users through information stored in the BABAR database. To make this mechanism work your SLAC Unix userid must appear in this database. Check to see whether this information has been entered (and, if necessary, request a correction) by bringing up your entry using the People Search page, search for your own database entry, and then clicking on the "submit a data correction to BABAR or PEP-II" link at the bottom of the page.

Note that once you submit this correction email, someone must manually update the database, and then (around 0400 PT everyday) the AFS access controls are updated. Thus, there will be a delay between the time this correction is requested and the time you may successfully access the BABAR code repositories. If you have a true emergency and must access group directories, please contact Charlotte Hee, 926-3353.

Babar Publications Web Access

If you need more information regarding the Babar Publications Database contact the BABAR Administration Office.

Access to the BABAR Publications database requires an Oracle account. BABAR participants may request an Oracle account (or request password changes) by sending email to db-admin@slac.stanford.edu.

SLAC HyperNews Account

HyperNews is a collection of discussion groups and is a primary communications tool within BABAR. One may browse articles within individual groups and respond to those articles within the context of a web browser. All HyperNews groups also have mailing lists associated with them so that for groups of interest, you may "subscribe" and thereby receive a copy via email of each article submitted. Responses may also be made via email.

Membership: Access to the HyperNews forums is restricted to BABAR members and associates. You will have to create a HyperNews membership in order to have access. Once you have your SLAC UNIX account, use ssh to login into babar-hn.slac.stanford.edu. Instead of getting your command shell, you will be asked for information necessary to create your HyperNews membership. This membership will have the same name as your SLAC UNIX account, but you SHOULD NOT use your SLAC UNIX password for important security reasons.

Bringing your computer to SLAC

Some advance preparation may be needed for your computer to work effectively at SLAC. Computers brought on site and connected to the SLAC network must comply with current SLAC rules concerning OS type, OS security patch level, OS configuration, disallowed servers (e.g. web servers), etc. You are strongly advised to contact the User Help Desk (926-HELP) for more information, and certainly BEFORE making any connection to the SLAC network.

In addition, to operate meaningfully on the SLAC network, you must obtain a SLAC-specific IP address . There are two basic ways to handle this.

Accessing SLAC computers remotely

Check On Your Account

chkuser chee

chkuser chee bartelt renata

Results:




UNIXID            BFACT             AFS      BBR_COMM  OBJECTIVITY
------------------------------------------------------------------
chee              yes               yes      yes       yes
bartelt           yes               yes      yes       yes
renata            no                yes      no        no