Remote Observing Working Group & Operation Workstations
Operation Workstations
Offspring of ROWG in a post-covid way.
reference WIP document https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k822T4Svo_PBhhJ3Kkn3D2frjegEL-hcaxyybMhbLms/edit
- current (physical)
tucson:
3x dual-4k (rm507-1,2,3)
mountain:
1x 6-head (to1 - reserved for OSA)
2x dual-4k (obs1, obs2)
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Topics:
* tucson / moutnain = 4x dual-4k + 1 spare
* keep spare on stand-by (i.e.. no screen)
* h/w needs (PC, display), purchases
- 2x 2-4k monitors
- PC should be ok, upgrade if old, but no need to hyper-standardize
- currently 3 types / (purchasing generations) of machines
- dual 4k shouldn't be an issue for "any" graphics card
* timeline
1) upgrade a machine in Tucson
1.b) test x2go / vnc.
almalinux provides Mate
2) upgrade all tucson
3) upgrade obs1 as a to1 testbed (for 2x4k TO)
4) remove 6xheads, all 2xheads
5) upgrade all mountain
* we'll use almalinux https://news.fnal.gov/2022/12/fermilab-cern-recommendation-for-linux-distribution/
* desk real estate availability ? get rid of ARGOS w/s ?
- Tucson is ok
- Mountain needs reshuffle
* OS almalinux 9.1 readiness? timeline for "acceptance"
* desktop mirroring soluton? vnc vs x2go, implication on desktop envionment
* headless setup requirements ?
* VMs for development
* x2go vs VNC
* session management
- compare to "old days" mainframe + multiple terminals
- nowadays, several small cheap powerful computer, but singe desktop environment (similar to laptops)
* but if we have 4x w/s might solves itself
- e.g. obs3/4 is the "AO obs", obs1/2 are the "science obs", to1 is the "OSA obs" etc.
- cover most use cases
- 4 machines +1 spare flexible enough to cover the out of band cases (e.g. one fails, etc)
- what's a bit special with LBT is the microwave link vs. fiber internet to facility that "never" fails
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- need remove the argos w/s to have space at mountain
- kvm ?
- probably more cumbersome than anything
- argos have single big tv screen
- machines are mostly unmaintained, not sure they work anyways
- argos could run remotely from the "new" obs, it's just desktop shortcut etc.
- Dave will check with Juan Carlos
- they were doing a VNC when working from Tucson ...
- Linc-nirvana
- lots of "stuff", need to clarify
- they could work from "our" new stations
- Dave will check with them
- make an argos/linc-nirvana pile, as long as they dont need screens, it's ok
- remote observing
- already specified as 2x 4k
- lbti is basically 2 sides x (AO + Science), but all 2x4k
- obs5 / obs6 used to be plugged to argos screen
- we want to standardize with the new machines
- 2x dual-4k + 2x single could be fine
- Dave will confirm
- loose the redundancy
- we want to standardize anyways
- everything will be 2-heads
- 5th station backup only, doesn't need screen
Place holder for meeting minutes, documents, action items, etc.
ROWG Meeting Notes and Minutes
Personnel
- AO - Doug Miller
- ObsDev - Michelle Edwards
- OSA - Steve Allanson
- Scientist - Al Conrad
- SciOps - Dave Thompson
- SW/IT - Stephen Hooper
- Admin - Matthieu Bec
C19/ROWG test setup
(based on email from Stephen 2020-06-05)
- The two six-headed machines in N507 are rm507-1 and rm507-2. The operators are working from rm507-1.
- The rm507-3 machine is attached to a 4K 32" curved monitor and is just for testing.
- In Al's office, N530, there is a 49" installation on rm530-1, and a 4-headed configuration on rm530-2 (which does not have AnyDesk as it is running CentOS 6).
- In Christian's office, N538, there is rm538-1, which will be running two 42" screens side by side, but is waiting for a replacement screen that shipped DOA.
Documents
References
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MatthieuBec - 11 Feb 2020