Overview

Globus is a tool for users to request data transfers between predefined Globus sites (endpoints) and/or user desktops/laptops running Windows/Mac/Linux. Under the hood, Globus uses GridFTP to do managed data transfers, but users do not need to know anything about GridFTP. Globus provides high performance, reliability (e.g., via restarts after transient errors), and security.

Usage

Globus is an online service that allows transferring data between different locations.  To use Globus you need to sign in. There are different options to sign in, including using a institutional identity (e.g., SLAC username), sign in with Google or creating a free Globus account (Globus ID). The Institutional login using SLAC requires a valid SLAC Windows account, a users unix account would not work (however the unix account is required to authenticate to the LCLS endpoint). If you would like to use the SLAC Institutional login but have no Windows account please contact data-management.                                       

Once logged in, users can request data transfers, view progress on existing transfers, manage transfer requests, and view history.

In addition to its web interface, Globus also provides a Python-based command line interface (CLI) and application programming interface (API). For installation and usage please refer to the CLI documentation and the API documentation.

A data transfer happens between two Globus endpoints. The user must pick a data source and destination endpoint, and authenticate to each with their credentials. The authentication generates tokens with limited lifetime. These tokens are stored at Globus for that user, and used to act on behalf of the user for the lifetime of those tokens. If the data transfer is stopped because a token has expired, the user needs simply to re-authenticate to renew the token and resume the transfer.


Transfers can be performed between any Globus endpoint that the user is authorized to access. There are more than 10,000 Globus endpoints active, including at most DOE laboratories, essentially all US research universities, and many international sites. Either endpoint (or both, if the user’s institution has a Globus subscription) can also be a Globus Connect Personal agent running on a user's destop/laptop. Globus Connect Personal is available for free download after login to Globus.

Globus endpoint at SLAC/LCLS

SLAC has several Globus endpoints, including one for LCLS (lcls_pcds). To obtain access the Globus LCLS endpoint, please send an email to data-management. Once enabled to use Globus with LCLS, the user can use their SLAC Unix username/password to authenticate with endpoint lcls_pcds.

Support

For more information about Globus, including documentation, support, and troubleshooting, check out the resources at the bottom of globus.org. If you suspect that a problem is SLAC/LCLS specific, please contact unix-admin@slac.stanford.edu.