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Getting Started on Alcova

This page describes the process for getting started on Alcova. After ARCC confirms that the project is created, please see the documentation for Connecting to Alcova for usage instructions.

Assumption

This page assumes that the reader has read and understood the Projects and Accounts page in this documentation. Especially the section on PI Eligibility and responsibilities.

Step 1: Request a new Research Project

In order to get started on Alcova, the PI must request a project and check the box in the project request form that says "Data Storage". On this form, the abstract must also indicate that this project is intended for storing research data only.

Alcova is not a Backup

While ARCC's Alcova service provides nightly backups, it is intended to living research data and NOT a place to backup desktops or personal data as stated in ARCC's Data Storage Policies.

Step 2: Accounts Eligible to Use Alcova

Alcova is only accessible to researchers that have UWyo accounts. These can be faculty, student, or staff UWyo accounts. The PI is responsible for providing/obtaining these usernames in the form.

Research Collaborators who do not have a UWyo account can also be granted access, but must first receive a UWyo External Collaborator account from IT. And then connect to the UWYO VPN.

ARCC-Only HPC Accounts

If the collaborator has an ARCC-Only Account for HPC access, these accounts are not compatible with Alcova. Please use the link above to request an External Collaborator account from UWIT. or contact arcc-help@uwyo.edu for advice on other options.

Step 3: Determine Permission Levels.

By default, Alcova is setup to provide collaborative data storage with modify permission at the root level of the project. If this does not work for the PI, please inform ARCC about what directories need to be restricted/available to other researchers with access to the project.

Step 4: Changes to Access

If additional researchers need added to a particular group or a new group is needed, please use the ARCC Change a Project form with the list of UWyo usernames and detail how the access should be setup.