SAGrid

How to use the infrastructure

Using SAGrid infrastructure should be as easy - or easier - as using any computing resource you currently use. This brief introduction to getting started will outline the steps needed to become a user and give you the relevant background information and links to further information.

Step 1 : Request your certificate

The very first step is to obtain your personal certificate to identify yourself on the grid. In order to do this, you will have to have a face-to-face meeting with the relevant Registration Authority of SAGrid. Note that while we are developing the Certificate Authority for the grid in South Africa, we are currently using certificates issued by the Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN) CA. A list of relevant RA's can be found at https://security.fi.infn.it/CA/en/RA/ (more will be added soon). Once this is done, you can fill out the certificate request at https://security.fi.infn.it/CA/en/mgt/restricted/ucert.php

Step 2 : Register to the Virtual Organisation

To be able to use the grid, you need to identify yourself with your certificate, but you also need rights to use the infrastructure. This is done by requesting to join the Virtual Organisation of your choice. If you're in South Africa, then likely the catch-all sagrid VO is the one for you. To do, go to the SAGrid VOMS Registration Page. (Note, you have to have your certificate in your browser to do this, and TLS-1 disabled.)

However, you may want to join another VO, depending on whether you're already working in a large collaboration. Consult the list of supported VO's at the CIC portal.

Step 3 : Obtain an account on a User Interface

A user interface is your doorway to the grid. For now, these take the form of "login machines" around the country, but soon we will be providing web- and other portal-based UI's. If you would like to use an officially supported user interface in your institute, then send an email requesting an account on one of them to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can also install the gLite UI packages on your laptop or other personal machine, by following the instructions at

http://igrelease.forge.cnaf.infn.it/doku.php?id=doc:guides:install-3_2 (look for the UI profile).

User Interfaces in South Africa :

• University of Cape Town : portal.sagrid.ac.za
• University of Johannesburg : glite-ui.grid.uj.ac.za
• University of the Free State : ui.grid.ufs.ac.za
• Meraka Institute : gridportal.sagrid.sanren.ac.za

Step 4 : Follow the user training

Before starting to use the infrastructure, a short phase of training should be undergone. This can either take the form of a training session or "self-study". See SAGrid training events for previous training where you can follow the slides at your own pace. The

Training sessions can be arranged "on-demand" either remotely with EVO, or with dedicated workshops in the case of a new group of users.

Any queries can always be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or submit a ticket requesting new user support on the Grid User Support portal

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