The Grainger College of Engineering
Engineering IT Shared Services

EWS Linux Home Directory Update - Partial Workaround Available - October 23, 2013

9/18/2014

Our efforts to find a solution to the problems with the NFS file server have (painfully obviously) not succeeded.  We are implementing a partial workaround (pilot instances of which are now available) and new NFS filer servers (i.e. throwing out the old server completely).

Partial Workaround

We have setup a number of Linux workstations in Everitt, Grainger, and Siebel that use a local-to-the-system home directory instead of the troubled network storage.  This allows working on the local system while avoiding most of the performance issues caused by the problematic server.  A link is provided to the user's networked home directory so that those files can still be accessed.

Once files are copied to the local system (from the networked home directory, via SVN, from a thumb drive, or cloud storage ) it should be possible to do most work without being impacted by the server issues.  It is critical that any work done be copied back to another location and not left on the local workstation.  Files left on a workstation will not be accessible from any other workstation.  In addition, files left may be cleaned out in order to keep the local disk from filling up.

The locations of the modified workstations:

  • 252 Everitt:  4 stations immediately upon entering the lab
  • 57 Grainger:  10 stations along the wall starting from the student consultant station
  • 222 Siebel:  all 36 stations

 The modified workstations have a different background, with a picture of an island, and a warning notice that "This system uses a local home directory!!".  Launching a terminal window will also provide instructions on how to access the networked directory.

This is NOT a permanent solution.  It is being provided in an effort to allow students to work while a real solution is implemented.

New NFS File Servers

Three Red Hat Enterprise Linux servers are being configured as new NFS servers.  We hope to begin migrating student directories to these new servers potentially as early as Friday and definitely before the end of the weekend.   Additional information will be posted before any migrations begin.