Issue 4, May 2, 2001
Contents
1. SeaNet HEADLINES, Subscribing, Unsubscribing
3. SeaNet Training Session and New Training Manual
4. Science Uses of SeaNet -- Dive and Discover
5. SeaNet Tips -- Backing Up Your SeaNet Communications Node (SCN)
6. Four New Saturn-Bs for UNOLS Fleet
7. SeaNet Contact Phone Numbers
9. SeaNet Headlines -- Submitting Information
1. SEANET HEADLINES
Welcome to the fourth issue of SEANET HEADLINES. This newsletter will provide the latest information about SeaNet operations, provide tips on how to use SeaNet most efficiently, and answer any SeaNet questions you might have about SeaNet. To subscribe (or unsubscribe), please send a message to seanet-editor@seanet.int.
The SeaNet Project is currently constructing a new version of the SeaNet Communications Node (SCN) below deck equipment which will occupy approximately half the space. In addition, a NERA Saturn-B is being packaged with the unit in such a way that the system could be installed temporarily on a ship that does not currently have a SeaNet system installed on it. The first installation of the system will be on the R/V Revelle in early June. Once the cruise is over, the system will be removed from the Revelle and stored back at LDEO for the next ship that needs to use it.
3. SEANET TRAINING SESSION AND NEW TRAINING MANUAL
A SeaNet training session was held for Scripps staff on April 25th and 26th. SeaNet staff reviewed the newest release of the SeaNet software which includes an integrated email system for operators interested in using it. Scripps shipboard support staff will be the first to operate the new software on the Melville. Once SeaNet staff has a chance to remove any remaining bugs that are discovered we will make the release available to other SeaNet operators.
Thanks to Jim Charters, Dan Jacobson, and Ron Moe for trekking to Woods Hole for a couple of days. The new training manual used for the course can be found at http://www.seanet.int/Documents/seanet_training2.pdf
4. SCIENCE USES OF SEANET - DIVE AND DISCOVER
The fourth Dive and Discover cruise is underway and is powered by SeaNet. Video clips, high resolution photographs, and shoreside web site maintenance are the primary traffic. See http://www.divediscover.whoi.edu for more information. The next Dive and Discover cruise will use the soon-to-be-installed temporary SeaNet system (see above) onboard the Revelle in this fall.
If you need help setting up this service, please contact the science liaison at the ship's home operator's office or send an email to seanet-ops@seanet.int to find out who the contact is.
5. SEANET TIPS - BACKING UP YOUR SEANET COMMUNICATIONS NODE (SCN)
It's important that an independent copy of your SCN's hard drive be made, preferably with some regularity. Making a regular backup retains recent modifications to operating system, SeaNet software, and the customized DataPipes that may occasionally change. Local copies of accounting and statistics are maintained. And, regular backups help insure that information health is less susceptible to media degradation in a salt air environment.
Rack-based SCNs include a Jaz drive in the computer chassis for backup purposes. Media can start out as preformatted for either Mac or PC since it will be reformatted as a linux filesystem. The backup must be done as the root user.
A SCN software installation includes a script that will perform a complete backup. The script is well-commented with instructions on preparation and mounting of the media, which are interactive procedures. Once the media is ready, one need only run the script to make the backup. It'll take roughly an hour, depending mostly on what's on the hard drive, and will estimate time to completion for you as it proceeds.
The brief procedure is:
1. Log in as root user, start XWindows (startx). Insert the Jaz media.
2. Open a new shell and 'more ~seanet/SCN/bin/backup'.
3. Open another shell and follow the instructions given in the script.
4. Once completed, label the Jaz with pertinent info including ship, date, and SCN software version. This last can be found in the upper left frame of the SeaNet web interface.
If you're able, we'd appreciate a backup copy for our archives as well. We'll use it primarily as a way examine your setup should a problem arise. We realize that Jaz media is expensive and getting the copy to us can be inconvenient, so treat this as an extra avenue of protection rather than a necessity.
6. FOUR NEW SATURN-Bs FOR UNOLS FLEET
Matt Hawkins (Univ. Delaware) has been leading a project for NSF to put together a group purchase of a number of new NERA Saturn-B systems for UNOLs vessels. It currently looks like the R/Vs Cape Hatteras, Cape Penlopen, Point Sur, and Thompson are all slated to get new NERAs sometime over the next year. All will be compatible with SeaNet, though no decision has yet been made by the operators as to whether SeaNet software will be available.
7. SEANET CONTACT PHONE NUMBERS
Below are the current phone numbers and email addresses for contacting SeaNet staff:
Who
Email
Phone
SeaNet Operations
seanet-ops@seanet.int
508/289-3700 (Scott McCue)
SeaNet Installations
seanet-install@seanet.int
914/365-8744 (Richard Perry)
SeaNet Operations fax number: 508/457-2600
Normal operations hours are 9-5 EST Monday through Friday. SeaNet does its best to keep track of operations during off hours, but a response is not guaranteed.
Currently, six UNOLS ships have SeaNet units on them. They are: R/V Atlantis, R/V Melville, R/V Ewing, R/V Knorr, R/V Pelican and R/V Seward Johnson.
If you have an upcoming cruise on one of these ships and are interested in possibly using SeaNet for high-speed data transfers, please contact the science liaison at the ship's home operator's office or send an email to seanet-ops@seanet.int to find out who the contact is.
9. SEANET HEADLINES -- Submitting Information
The regular deadline for contributions or questions to SEANET HEADLINES is the first Tuesday of each month. Submit information or questions by sending a short e-mail message to: seanet-editor@seanet.int. The editor of HEADLINES is Ellen Kappel.