Basics

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• What is MSS?
• How can I access the MSS?
• How can I save a file to MSS?
• How can I retrieve a file from MSS?
• How can I delete files and directories in MSS?

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What is MSS?

MSS (formerly known as UniTree or DiskXtender) is an archival storage system that supports large file sizes in a UNIX-like file system environment. MSS manages the file system by automatically migrating files off local disk space onto tape when disk space becomes low or files have not been accessed in a certain length of time. Files that have previously been migrated to tape and purged off disk are automatically cached back to disk on demand.

A major benefit of MSS is that it looks and feels like a UNIX file system. It permits both FTP and SSH interfaces, allowing you to manipulate files and directories using standard UNIX commands and I/O libraries. This FAQ assumes that you are familiar with normal UNIX file operations such as listing and changing directories and moving and removing files.

How can I access MSS?

From an NCSA HPC system, it's easiest to use the mssftp command to get an interactive FTP session into MSS, or the msscmd command as the command line interface to mssftp.

From non-NCSA machines, UberFTP offers an equivalent performance and experience as mssftp, but SSH access is also available for convenience.

From your personal computer, it may be easiest to use an SSH client. Mac and Linux operating systems typically already have SSH installed. Windows users will need to get an SSH/SFTP client and follow its documentation. Suggested clients are listed here

How can I save a file to MSS?

From an NCSA HPC system, when the file resides in the current, local directory:

msscmd put filename

Or when that same file needs to be stored in a particular MSS directory:

msscmd "cd your_dir, put filename"

On a non-NCSA or local, non-windows machine, issue the command from a terminal:

scp local_file your_login@mss.ncsa.uiuc.edu:destination_path

Windows users will need to get an SSH/SFTP client and follow its documentation. Suggested clients are listed here

How can I retrieve a file from MSS?

From an NCSA HPC system, when the file resides in the MSS home directory:

msscmd get filename

Or when a file resides in a different MSS directory, and needs to be placed in the current, local directory:

msscmd "cd your_dir, get filename"

On a non-NCSA or local, non-windows machine, issue the command from a terminal:

scp your_login@mss.ncsa.uiuc.edu:remote_file_path local_path

Windows users will need to get an SSH/SFTP client and follow its documentation. Suggested clients are listed here

How can I delete files and directories in MSS?

From an NCSA HPC system:

msscmd rm file_or_dir

In SSH sessions:

rm filename
rm -r directory