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Analyse and compute with Sensitive Data Desktop

Overview

Sensitive Data (SD) Desktop allows you to analyze sensitive research data from your web browser securely. With this user interface, you can easily manage (start, use, delete) a virtual computer (here called desktop, technically defined as virtual machine). In addition, SD Desktop provides a secure workspace for collaborative research projects.

Desktop-overview

Contents:

You can browse the main topics of this section using the navigation bar on the right side of this page or the search function.

Key features

  • Accessible from any operating system (Mac, Linux or Windows) via a web browser (e.g., Google Chrome, Firefox) from the public internet (without the need to install a client or use a VPN).

  • Only members of the same CSC project can access the virtual desktop. One CSC project can create up to three desktops.

  • Four pre-built computing options (Linux OS) are available (for simple statistical analysis and machine learning). Supports analysis of any data type: text files, images, audio files, video, and genetic data. Further customisation is possible by writing to servicedesk@csc.fi (subject: Sensitive data);

  • The secure analysis environment is isolated from the internet: the only way to import and export data is via the SD Connect service.

Limitations:

  • The project manager's or group leader's responsibility is to frequently review the list of members belonging to a project in MyCSC and verify who can access SD Desktop or SD Connect. Remove the project members who do not need access to the data when their contribution is no longer needed.

  • Only open-source software is available. We do not provide virtual desktops with GPUs, Windows, or Linux Ubuntu operating systems.

Note

The standard SD Desktop service is unsuitable for data processing under the Secondary Use of Health and Social Data Act. Please check this manual: SD Desktop for secondary use to learn about the precise requirements and access datasets approved by the Findata authority.

Authentication

Login to SD Desktop is possible with identity federation systems (Haka, Virtu, CSCLogin or LSLogin) at:

https://sd-desktop.csc.fi

from any modern web-browser.

After entering your username and password, you need to verify your identity with a second verification step (or Multi-factor Authentication, MFA). Enter the verification code provided via mobile application and press on Continue.

For specific guidance, see the MFA section.

Authentication

Creating your virtual desktop

Once you can access the service, you can create your virtual computer (desktop), choosing between three pre-built options. This operation can be carried out with a few simple steps and does not require any technical expertise. The services will automatically start your virtual desktop (or, in technical terms: launch a virtual machine) and create a secure connection between CSC and your browser. After this operation, your virtual desktop will be directly available whenever you log in to the service and will consume billing units (or resources) from your CSC project until paused or deleted.

Each CSC project supports the launch of 3 virtual Desktops. In addition, each desktop supports the simultaneous connection of 10 project members. Therefore, all project members can connect to the virtual desktop and access the data stored in your project. Furthermore, all the desktops are provided with the same open-source software (pre-installed and managed by CSC). The complete and updated list can be found in the following paragraph.

To start your virtual desktop, log in to the services and on the Connection page, click on Go To SD Desktop Management.

Here you can specify several parameters:

  1. Select CSC project, operating system and desktop name. Currently, the only possible operating system is Linux CentOS 7. Assigning a descriptive name for a Desktop so that all project members can quickly identify it, later on is good practice.

  2. Select a desktop from the pre-built options. Based on the computing needs, choose one of the pre-built options (Small, Medium, or Heavy computation).

  3. Add external volume (optional). Each desktop's default disk (or storage) space is 80 GB. With this option, you can extend the disk space up to 200 GB, adding an external volume where you can save your files. You can add a new volume by selecting the Volume size and add a name in the field Volume name. It is a good practice to save a copy of your analysis or important file on the volume that can also have a backup function in case the virtual desktop becomes unresponsive. Note: you can't extend the disk space after you have created the virtual desktop. Additional disk space can be requested by writing to servicedesk@csc.fi (subject: Sensitive data). You can detach and attach a volume from your virtual desktop. This operation corresponds to connecting or disconnecting a hard drive to your laptop and is availale only on desktops created after February 2023. For more informations see: Managing volume and desktops.

  4. Finally, press on Create desktop. The operation is entirely automated and can take up to 30 minutes. If you try accessing the virtual desktop during this process, an error message will be displayed asking you to return later.

You can choose between three different pre-built virtual desktop options:

  • Small computation. Technical specifications: Core:6; memory 15 GiB; Root disk: 80 GB; Correspondent Pouta Flavour: standard.xlarge; Billing Units: 5.2 units/h. This option is ideal for analyzing sensitive data using office software (for example: similar to simple statistical analysis with Excel, watching videos, listening to audio files, and working on text files). You can compare this desktop to your laptop.

  • Medium computation. Technical specifications:Core:8; memory 30 GiB; Root disk: 80 GB; Correspondent Pouta Flavour: standard.xxlarge; Billing Units: 10.4 units/h**. This option is ideal for running complex statistical or genome analysis (for example: using the command line to run specific scripts). You can compare this desktop to a powerful laptop provided by your organization's IT unit.

  • Heavy computation: Technical specifications: Core:32; memory 116 GiB; Root disk: 80 GB; Correspondent Pouta Flavour: hpc.5.32core; Billing Units: 52 units/h. This option is ideal for running non-interactive programmatic analysis (machine learning) that requires heavy computation. Please do not choose this option for simple analysis, as it consumes considerable resources.

Note

For support in choosing the correct desktop option for your needs, don't hesitate to contact us at servicedesk@csc.fi (email subject: Sensitive data).

Note

As each virtual desktop consumes resources, it's advisable to delete your desktop when it's no longer necessary (for instance, after testing the SD Desktop service or completing the analysis phase). All project members will receive email notifications if a desktop remains unused for at least 14 days. Before deletion, make sure to export all essential results and disconnect any volumes containing important files for future use and notifying the other CSC project members. For further details, refer to Managing volumes and desktops.

The following paragraphs will discuss how to work with your virtual desktop, which software is available, and how to customize your workspace.

Launch

Working with your virtual desktop

Once a virtual desktop has been created, each CSC project member can securely access it from their browser.

When you log in to SD Desktop Homepage, you will be able to access your virtual computing environment from:

  • Recent connections. Click on your desktop's image (visible only if recently accessed).

  • All connections. Click on + next to the CSC project ID (e.g. project_NNNNN): this allows you to visualize and access all the desktops associated with the project (desktopname-NNNNNNNNNN) via a secure connection.

When you open the connection, a virtual computing environment (Linux Centos operating system) will open in your browser. If you are accessing the virtual desktop for the first time, you will see the panel getting started, from which you can, for example, adjust the screen resolution.

You can work with the desktop like in a standard computing environment, accessing several pre-installed programs from the applications menu bar (top left corner). Examples include Open Office, image viewing applications, video and audio players, Jupiter Notebook etc. You can also open a terminal and use Linux from the command line. For more information on accessing R-Studio, please check the paragraph below.

Security-related features of SD Desktop include:

  1. The computing environment (visible from your browser) is isolated from the internet. So you can, for example, open a Firefox web browser but not access any site online. At this moment, you will also not be able to access any repositories directly.

  2. You can access or import files into the computing environment only using the Data Gateway application (see below for more information);

  3. Unencrypted files are not visible via the SD Desktop service. You can access and visualize only encrypted files (uploaded to CSC using SD Connect or encrypted programmatically with the service's public encryption key).

  4. The copy-paste function from your computer/laptop to the browser visualizing your secure desktop is entirely disabled for security reasons. However, you can use this function inside the virtual desktop.

  5. Only files saved in the shared-directory or the external volume are accessible to all project members via the virtual desktop.

You can close the connection to your virtual desktop in two ways:

  1. Log out from the desktop (in the workspace view, top right corner of the browser, select your username and log out). This will close all applications and disconnect the work session. You can access the same desktop anytime after logging in to the services.

  2. If you initiated an analysis programmatically (running a script), you can close the browser window. This doesn't interfere with the processes running. Thus, when you reconnect to your desktop, all your tools and interfaces are still open and you can continue working. However, log out from the desktop once the analysis is finished. If you leave more than ten connections open, you will be unable to re-access the services.

Note

SD Desktop only supports ten simultaneous connections. You will be automatically logged out from the virtual desktop if a connection has been left accidentally active for two days.

Access-virtual-Desktop

Accessing RStudio

Open the terminal and launch RStudio with:

start-rstudio-server

This will return a URL and a service-specific password:

RStudio Server - Sensitive Data Desktop Edition
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copy/Paste this URL into Firefox:

http://localhost:8787/

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enter these at the RStudio Server sign-in screen
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Username: accountname  Password: Example23241232
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To stop RStudio Server: Ctrl+C

Next:

  • paste the URL in Firefox
  • after a few seconds, you can input the username and password (service-specific) and access the server.

Note

Only file saved in shared-directory or external volume are accessible to other project memebers using RSudio.

Desktop-rstudio

Accessing encrypted sensitive data within SD Desktop

As the virtual desktop is isolated from the internet, the only way to access data for analysis is by utilizing a specific application called Data Gateway.

This application will allow you to establish a secure connection with two other Sensitive Data Service components and: Access and analyse encrypted files directly uploaded via SD Connect by any of the project members; Reuse published data under controlled access via the Sensitive Data (SD) Apply service.

Encrypted files are visible in read-only mode (similar to opening a pdf file or streaming a YouTube video). This solution allows you to process large amounts of data without storing additional copies on your virtual desktop.

Note

In SD Desktop, you can access only encrypted files. Accessing unencrypted data or files encrypted only with your public encryption key will result in an error.

Accessing encrypted data stored in SD Connect using Data Gateway

You can access encrypted data stored in SD Connect by following these steps:

  1. Open Data Gateway (you can find the application on your desktop);

2.Select SD Connect;

3.Add your CSC credentials (username and password. Note: we disabled the copy/paste options for security reasons; thus, you need to type in your password);

4.Click on Login and next click on Continue;

5.In the new window, under _ Create secure access_ click on Create. The application will create a secure connection with SD Connect, and a new folder called Projects will be accessible from your desktop or programmatically from the terminal. Next, click on Open folder.

Data-gateway1

You can directly access all the files stored in SD Connect in read-only mode from the project folder. The application will automatically decrypt them. The current streaming speed can be up to 50 MB/s.

Note

The Projects folder is available only when the Data Gateway application is open. Thus, Data Gateway needs to be open during data processing in streaming mode.

Data-gateway2

Importing data inside the desktop

If during the analysis phase you need to edit or annotate files, you make a full copy of it on your virtual desktop following these steps:

  1. Access the files of interest in the Project folder using Data Gateway;

  2. Select the files from the Project folder, make a copy and paste it in the virtual desktop home directory (the files will be visible only from your browser) or in the shared folder (in this case, the files will be accessible also by all the CSC project members).

The files are automatically decrypted by the Data Gateway application during the copy/paste process and are directly available for analysis or editing.

Note

Your private workspace in SD Desktop is completely isolated from the internet for security reasons. However, you can use the procedure described above if you need to import specific scripts into your desktop (for example, from GitHub or other trusted repositories).

Desktop-data-import

Accessing published data for reuse via SD Apply

Data Gateway can also be used to access data published under controlled access via other Sensitive Data Service components. To access a specific dataset for reuse on your virtual desktop, you must first apply for it using SD Apply service. When the data owner (or Data Access Committee) has granted you access, you can access the dataset in SD Desktop for a limited time.

You will encounter an error message if you still need to apply for access or if the access period has ended.

Desktop-apply

SD Apply is currently in the pilot phase. Don't hesitate to contact us at servidesk@csc.fi (subject: sensitive data) for more information.

Default programs available on SD Desktop

Each virtual Desktop (or virtual computer) is pre-built and contains a limited set of default open-source software (listed below).

Note

If the list below is not clear or you need specific software to analyze your data, please don't hesitate to contact us at servicedesk@csc.fi (subject: Sensitive Data). We can support you in your Desktop customization. Moreover, we are working on developing our services to provide proprietary software. Follow our webpage for constant updates.

Pre-installed software:

  • CentOS7

  • Emacs

  • htlib

  • LibreOffice

  • miniconda

  • minimap2

  • pigz

  • pyro.ai

  • Python

  • R + R studio

  • samtools

  • nextflow

  • golang

Scientific software

  • Python 3.9.15 including following packages:

    * tensorflow nltk spacy scikit-learn seaborn plotly bokeh pydot xgboost lightgbm catboost eli5 torch keras dist-keras elephas gensim scrapy beautifulsoup4 numpy scipy pandas statsmodels matplotlib pyfuse3 crypt4gh trio httpx qrcode 
* [Instructions for adding Python libraries](./tutorials/sd-pythonlibs.md)

  • R / RStudio Server

    • Installation matching the r-env-singularity/4.0.5 module on Puhti (R 4.0.5 + RStudio Server 1.4.1106, Bioconductor 3.12)
    • 1000+ pre-installed R packages (versions available on Apr 20 2021)
    • Intel® oneAPI Math Kernel Library (oneMKL)
    • GIS software (PROJ, GDAL, SAGA)
    • CUDA drivers
    • TensorFlow (used with R TensorFlow back-end)
    • R + RStudio Server versions matched with Puhti r-env-singularity module (R 4.0.5 + RStudio Server 1.4.1106, MRAN, Bioconductor 3.12)
    • Rstudio 4.2.2 and all CRAN and Bioconductor libraries can be added with SD-software-installer

SD Software installer

SD Software installer provides easy-to-use tool to add some commonly used software to SD Desktop.

Software customisation with Apptainer and Podman

Users can install their own software to SD Desktop, but this requires technical expertise. As SD Desktop is isolated from the internet, you can't directly use installation tools like git, coda, cpan or pip as they are dependent on internet connections to external repositories. Further, SD Desktop users can't do any operation that needs superuser access.

If you want to add new software to your virtual machine independently, the most convenient way to add new software to your SD Desktop is to build a Apptainer container outside SD Desktop and then import the container through SD Connect to SD Desktop. The two documents below describe two sample cases on adding software with containers.

  1. Importing ready-made software containers from a public repository to SD Desktop
  2. Creating you own Singularity container and importing it to SD Desktop

Note

Please don't hesitate to contact us at servicedesk@csc.fi (subject: Sensitive Data). We can support you in your Desktop customization.

In Ubuntu22 based virtual machines you can use also Podman container manager. One of the benefits of Podman is that can utilize Docker containers too.

Data export from SD Desktop

Your virtual desktop is isolated from the internet for security reasons. Only the CSC project manager can export results or data from the secure workspace using the Data Gateway application, currently available only programmatically. The results are exported to SD Connect, where they will be available for download to your computer.

Below you can find step-by-step instructions to encrypt and export data from SD Desktop to SD Connect, where you can download and decrypt it.

Data-export

1- Generate your encryption key pair (secret key and public key) with the Crypt4GH application (you can skip this paragraph if you already have a key pair).

  • Install the Crypt4GH application:

CSC has developed a simple application that will allow you to generate your encryption keys and decrypt data when necessary. Download the version specific to your operating system from the GitHub repository:

Please check that the tool for Windows has been digitally signed by CSC - IT Center for Science. After the download, you can find the Crypt4GH application in your downloads folder.

  • When you open the application for the first time, you might encounter an error message. In this case, click on More info and verify that the publisher is CSC-IT Center for Science (or in Finnish CSC-Tieteen tietotekniikan keskus Oy) and then click on Run anyway.

  • Generate your encryption keys:

  • Open the Crypt4GH application and click on Generate Keys (on the top right corner).

  • The tool will open a new window and ask you to insert a password (Private Key Passphrase). This password will be associated with your secret key. Please, use a strong password.
  • When you click on OK, the tool will generate a key pair consisting of a secret key (your username_crypt4gh.key) and a public key (your username_crypt4gh.pub).
  • The keys/file names will be displayed in the Activity Log with the following message:
Key pair has been generated, your private key will be auto-loaded the next time you launch this tool:
Private key: username_crypt4gh.key
Public key: username_crypt4gh.pub
All the fields must be filled before file encryption will be started

The keys will be generated and saved to the same folder in which the application resides.

Note

  • If you lose or forget your secret key, or the password, you will be unable to decrypt the files.
  • Do not share your secret key or your password.
  • You need to create your keys only once and use them for all your encryption needs, but you can of course, choose to generate separate keys for encryption as you wish.

2- Upload the public key to SD Connect.

  • You can easily upload the public key to SD Connect via drag and drop. You will be redirected to a new window displaying the default encryption options.

  • Next, you can specify the bucket's name to which the public encryption key should be uploaded. If you don't fill in a specific term, the user interface will automatically create a bucket named with a 13 digit number (based on creation time).

  • Click on Encrypt and upload: the public key will be encrypted and uploaded to the bucket in SD Connect. Only encrypted files are visible and accessible via SD Desktop; thus, even your public encryption key must be encrypted during upload.

export

3- Import the public key inside the virtual desktop.

Once the upload process is completed, you can access your virtual Desktop. Using the Data Gateway application, access the bucket with the public key. You can now import a copy of your public key inside the virtual Desktop (via copy/paste function).

4- Encrypt the results.

Open the terminal (right-click) and encrypt with your public key the files you want to export. Crypt4GH is already installed on each Desktop and accessible programmatically.

The syntax of the encryption command is:

crypt4gh encrypt --recipient_pk public-key < input > output

Where public-key is your public key (username.pub), input is the file you want to export (my_results.csv), and output is the encrypted file (my_results.csv.c4gh)

For example:

crypt4gh encrypt --recipient_pk your-username.pub < my_results.csv > my_results.csv.c4gh

5- Exporting the results from the private desktop.

Once the results are encrypted, only the CSC project manager can export the files with the Airlock client.

Open the terminal (right click) and type the following syntax:

airlock-client  <<username>> <<data_output_bucket>> <<filename>>

Where username is your CSC account username, data_output_bukcet is the name that you want to give to the bucket into which the results are exported. The airlock client will generate the bucket automatically in the same CSC project in which your Desktop is. Filename is the name of the encrypted files that you want to export.

For example:

airlock-client cscuser  analysis-2022  results-03.csv.c4gh

Press enter and add your password. Note: if you try to upload an unencrypted file, the airlock client will automatically encrypt it with the Sensitive Data public key for security reasons and export it to SD Connect. Here, you will be able to download the file but you will not be able to decrypt it.

The fact that only project manager can export data from SD Desktop, making back-up copies of important file is difficult for normal user. If need, the project manger can launch a back-up server process that normal users can utilize to do back-ups. For details, see:

6- Download and decrypt the files.

The exported file is now available in SD Connect/Allas. After downloading the file in your local environment, you can decrypt it with your secret encryption key, using the Crypt4GH application or programmatically. For specific guidance check the following paragraph. For more information and support, write to servicedesk@csc.fi (email subject Sensitive Data).

Managing volumes and virtual desktops

With the SD Desktop service, you can easily manage volumes and pause, reboot, rebuild or delete your virtual desktops. Below we illustrate the main available options.

Note

These options are available only on virtual desktops created after February 2, 2023. Please contact us at servicedesk@csc.fi if you are working with older desktops.

Detaching and reattaching a volume

With the option Detach volume, you can easily disconnect a volume from your virtual desktop. The volume and its content will be stored in the same CSC project where it was initially created. You can compare this operation to disconnecting or attaching a hard drive to your laptop.

To detach a volume from your virtual desktop:

  1. Save and close all the files on the volume to prevent data corruption and log out from the virtual desktop.

  2. From SD Desktop homepage, click on SD Desktop management page.

  3. Here, under Available desktops choose the correct virtual desktop, and in the same raw, on the right side, click on Detach volume. A message will ask to confirm the operation.

When you want to access the data saved in the detached volume, you can reattach it to a new desktop:

  1. From the SD Desktop homepage, click on SD Desktop management page.

  2. Under Desktop selection choose the necessary options (CSC project, operating system etc).

  3. Under Add External Volume (optional) click inside Choose from existing volumes. The user interface will visualize available volumes stored in the same CSC project. Note: do not click on the options volume size or volume name.

  4. Click on Create desktop

Limitations:

  • A detached volume can not be reattached to an existing virtual desktop, only to new virtual desktops during creation phase.

  • The content of a detached volume can not be accessed or deleted.

  • To delete or access the volume content, attach it to a desktop with the same operating system during the desktop creation phase.

  • Volumes can not be moved or transferred between CSC projects for security reasons.

Desktop-volume

Pausing or unpausing a virtual desktop

You can pause a virtual desktop. In this manner, the desktop will stop consuming billing units.

To pause the desktop:

  1. Close all the programs, save/close all the files, and log out from the virtual desktop to prevent data corruption.

  2. On the SD Desktop homepage, click on Go To SD Desktop Management;

  3. Here, under Available desktops select the correct virtual desktop, and in the same raw, on the right side, click on Pause desktop. Note: you can not detach a volume or access a paused desktop.

  4. A message will ask to confirm the operation, which can take up to 30 minutes.

You can unpause the virtual desktop at any time from the same page. Also, in this case, the restart processes can take up to 30 minutes:

  1. On the SD Desktop homepage, click on Go To SD Desktop Management;

  2. Here, under Available desktops select the correct virtual desktop, and in the same raw, on the right side, click on Resume.

Note

Restarting a paused desktop is only possible for active CSC projects with available billing units.

Desktop-volume

Rebooting or rebuilding a desktop

Reebooting a desktop

If your virtual desktop or software becomes unresponsive, you can reboot (restart) it. After the reboot, all files and software saved on the virtual desktop will remain accessible.

Note

If the Data Gateway application becomes unresponsive due to old sessions running in the background, there's no need to restart your desktop. Instead, you can utilize the terminal to identify and halt the process. For assistance, please contact us at servicedesk@csc.fi , subject "Sensitive data."

To reboot a desktop:

  1. Close all programs and ensure you save/close any files to prevent data corruption.

  2. Go to the SD Desktop homepage and select "Go To SD Desktop Management."

  3. Scroll to the end of the page. Here, under "Available desktops," choose the relevant virtual desktop. On the right side of the same row, click "Options" and then select "Reboot."

  4. Confirm the operation when prompted. The process may take up to 30 minutes.

Rebuilding a desktop

If your virtual desktop or software is outdated, you have the option to rebuild it.

Note

Rebuilding the virtual desktop will erase all files, software, or scripts imported into it. The entire virtual workspace will be reset, excluding files saved in the volume. Please reach out to us at servicedesk@csc.fi before proceeding.

To Rebuild a Virtual Desktop:

  1. On the SD Desktop homepage, click "Go To SD Desktop Management."

  2. From the list of "Available desktops," select the appropriate virtual desktop. On the right side of that row, click "Options" and choose "Rebuild."

  3. Confirm the operation when prompted. The process may take up to 30 minutes.

Desktop-volume

Deleting a desktop

At the end of your analysis, you can delete your virtual desktop, including the external volume and all files saved in it. You cannot undo this action:

1- On SD Desktop Homepage, click on Go to SD Desktop Management page.

2- Under Available desktops select the correct virtual desktop.

3- On the same raw, on the right side, click on Options and on Delete.

Note

Please contact all the project members before deleting a virtual desktop. With this action, you will delete the entire workspace, including all files saved in the virtual desktop or external volume by other project members.

Desktop-delete

Troubleshooting

Problem Possible solution
Access Launched a new Desktop, but now the screen is black/frozen. The creation of a new Desktop can take up to 30 minutes. Come back later.
Cannot log in to SD Desktop Create a CSC account and a project in the MyCSC portal. Add service access for Allas (a CSC storage solution) and SD Desktop to your project.
Cannot turn off my Desktop. You can log out from Desktop at any moment (in the workspace view, top right corner of the browser, select your username and log out). You will always be able to reaccess your Desktop after logging in. Never use the lock or reboot buttons in SD Desktop as after that, you will not be able to connect the Desktop again
Collaborative project My collaborator added me to their CSC project, but I cannot access SD Desktop. Accept the terms of use and add service access for SD Desktop in the MyCSC portal.
Me and my colleague are members of the same CSC project. I cannot see the data they have analysed/edited in our private Desktop. Save the files in the Shared directory if you need to work on/edit files or datasets with your colleagues.
Cannot add more project members to the same Desktop. Your Desktop has too many simultaneous connections. Max 10 users can use the same Desktop at the same time. Furthermore, each user can have only one active connection to one Desktop. Remember to log out of the Desktop to end the active session.
Copy- Paste Function I cannot copy and paste my password or commands from outside the Desktop. We disabled the copy/paste options for security reasons. Thus you need to type in everything manually. Alternatively, you can import documents or scripts to SD Connect and do the copy-paste process inside SD Desktop.
Data export Cannot export results. Only the CSC project manager can export encrypted results from the SD Desktop for security reasons.
Data Access The Data Gateway application doesn’t work when I add my credentials. Use the username and password of your CSC account. Check that your project has service access for Allas (a CSC storage solution). Check that you haven’t changed your environment variables. Do not use passwords that contain @
I imported data from SD Connect with the Data gateway application but the data isn't decrypted. If you want the data to be automatically decrypted in SD Desktop, you need to encrypt the files using also the CSC Sensitive Data Services public key.
Need to import more than 80 GB of data. I already have an extra volume. You can link the added volume from your terminal: ls -s /path_to_volume_mount_point ~/SDCONNECTDATA
Disk space/ Volume Cannot add disk space to my Desktop. It’s possible to add disk space only when launching a new Desktop.
Cannot make a copy of a big dataset. Check that you have enough disk space on your Desktop. The maximum disk space of each Desktop is 280 GB, but it can be extended contacting servicedesk@csc.fi
Mac OS Mac keyboard is not recognized e.g. command+C is not translated to CTRL+C. You need to change the keyboard settings.
Software Cannot open RStudio on my Desktop. To access RStudio in SD Desktop, you need to open the terminal in your virtual Desktop and launch RStudio with start-rstudio-server.Check for more instructions above in the user guide.
Need software not provided in Desktop Contact us at servicedesk@csc.fi (subject SD Desktop)
Last update: August 9, 2023