The functionality of UNICORE can be tested using the UNICORE Test Grid. Everyone can freely test the functionality of the UNICORE client on the dedicated UNICORE Test Grid. Users can freely explore UNICORE for a period of 30 days. A simple step-by-step procedure helps to download, install, customize and run the client. With the UNICORE Test Grid the UNICORE Forum (http://www.unicore.org ) offers the possibility for every user to run jobs in a real grid environment. Currently there are two UNICORE sites configured (Gate Europe and Gate USA), that contain two virtual sites each:
Although we have chosen to give the sites names of historical computers, you should, of course, be aware that behind those names hides an ordinary Linux PC with OpenPBS installed. However, all sites are fully functional and support all file operations, scripts and commands, as well as the POV-Ray ray tracing application (http://www.povray.org/). It is also possible to test other application plug-ins like CPMD or Gaussian on the Test Grid, although currently these applications are installed as fake scripts.
Running the UNICORE Test Grid for the first time
The UNICORE Client has a built-in support for getting certificates from the test grid certification service. When the UNICORE Client starts it checks whether you already have a directory “.unicore” in your home directoy. If not the Client will prompt you to generate one. After that UNICORE will check whether there is a keystore already installed. If this is not the case the user will be prompted whether a new keystore with test certificates will be installed. After answering the question with “yes” the Client will prompt you to insert a password for your new keystore. (In case you accidentally answered “no”, it is also possible to import the test certificates later on by choosing “Import Test Certificates” from the “Action” menu in the Keystore Editor. For more information on this topic please refer to Security Setup with the Keystore Editor.)
NOTE: It is highly recommended to start with the import of test certificates, because with the import the Client will also add the Pallas Software Development certificate to the keystore. Without this certificate it will not be possible to load the standard Client plugins.
After accepting the URL to the Test Grid Certificat Authority, the Client will try to access the Test Grid.
Probably you will get an “error in communication with certificate service”. You need to call Settings->Keystore Editor and import test certificates. To generate a User test certificate the user has to fill in the information for the Certificate Signing Request (CSR).
The CSR information will be sent to the Certification web service and the response will be automatically added to the keystore. Your test user certificate will apear with the common name as alias. You can check the information by clicking on your entry and the details button.
The user certificate will expire after one month, but if you want evaluate the software for a longer period you may access the Test Grid by simply deleting the old certificate and appling for a new one.
In case you have received your certificate but still can not access the UNICORE Test Grid (error message “unable to load virtual sites from gateway”) please insert the appropriate SOCKS proxy address in the “Settings->User Defaults” menu. For details please refer to Configuration - User Defaults.
Running Example Jobs
The UNICORE client comes with a set of example jobs allowing you to directly run jobs on the Test Grid after import of the test certificates. In the installation directory under “lib/examples” you will find:
POVRayJob.ajo: A small demo job demonstrating the use of the POV-Ray application plugin. Load and submit this job to render stunning 3D images on the UNICORE test grid with the POV-Ray renderer. For more information about POV-Ray, as well as other examples and tutorials go to: http://www.povray.org
MultiSiteJob.ajo: A job containing another sub job running on a different virtual site. The job shows how to transfer files between sites and how to use if conditions.
RepeatJob.ajo: A job executing a script until a certain condition is fulfilled. In this demo the script generates files in an iteration until a certain number of files is reached and then exits the loop.