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System News

Filtered by: Policy Changes | (Remove Filters)

Blue Waters Policy Update: Idle Session Timeouts

Created by: jenos 2020-05-14 16:14:05 (Channels: policychange)

Blue Waters Users:

This is an update for a minor policy change.

Login Nodes:

Currently, idle sessions are disconnected by ssh after 4 hours for terminal security. This will not change.

Additionally, login nodes have a 3 day timeout for idle sessions (this terminates idle screen sessions that the ssh idle timer may leave behind).

This restriction has been removed, but login nodes may still be rotated out of service for maintenance with a 24 hour notice to each active terminal. This is an infrequent occurrence though, and interrupted idle sessions will be reduced as a result of this change.

Documentation describing this policy can be found here:

https://bluewaters.ncsa.illinois.edu/login-node-policies

Please send any questions to help+bw@ncsa.illinois.edu.

Blue Waters Admins

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Blue Waters Users: This is an update for a minor policy change. Login Nodes: Currently, idle sessions are disconnected by ssh after 4 hours for terminal security. This will not change. Additionally, login nodes have a 3 day timeout for idle sessions (this terminates idle screen sessions that the ssh idle timer may leave...
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Blue Waters Update: RSA deactivation

Created by: jenos 2020-04-07 16:22:40 (Channels: systemnotices|policychange)
Blue Waters partners-

RSA authentication has been deactivated as scheduled, with one exception noted below due to Globus staff availability and illness circumstance. Please note that the Globus Organizational login page will continue to accept RSA, but you may also use your Globus account, as described here. An updated schedule for it's Duo conversion will be posted when it is known.

Relevant Event Timeline:

December, 2019
- Duo authentication enabled
- "-duo" suffix on supplemental ssh login hostnames and Globus endpoints
April 1, 2020
- HPSS Near-line storage system permanently shut down
April 7, 2020
- RSA authentication permanently deactivated
- Original ssh login hostnames and online Globus endpoints will use authentication with Duo instead of RSA
- "-duo" suffix on supplemental ssh login hostnames deprecated, but will continue to function
[DELAYED]
- Globus Online organizational login page will switch from RSA to CILogon
  CILogon Duo authentication can be tested before April 7 at https://cilogon.org/ (use "National Center for Supercomputing Applications" as Identity Provider)
April 14, 2020
- Supplemental "-duo" suffixed Globus endpoint names will be permanently retired
Obsolete RSA hardware tokens do not need to be returned to NCSA, and can be disposed.

If you have any questions, please send mail to help+bw@ncsa.illinois.edu

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Blue Waters partners- RSA authentication has been deactivated as scheduled, with one exception noted below due to Globus staff availability and illness circumstance. Please note that the Globus Organizational login page will continue to accept RSA, but you may also use your Globus account, as described here. An updated schedule for...
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Blue Waters Notice: RSA deactivation on 4/7/2020

Created by: jenos 2020-03-31 10:02:31 (Channels: systemnotices|policychange)
Blue Waters partners-

As noted previously, RSA authentication to Blue Waters has an upcoming deactivation scheduled. The replacement authentication method via Duo was activated on Blue Waters in December, 2019. If you have not set up Duo and tested Duo authentication yet (for ssh or Globus endpoints), please do so as it will shift from optional to required for Blue Waters access on April 7th, 2020. The configuration changes required for all of the following events are not expected to cause any service interruption, with the exception of the services that are being retired of course.

Relevant Event Timeline:

December, 2019
- Duo authentication enabled
- "-duo" suffix on supplemental ssh login hostnames and Globus endpoints
April 1, 2020
- HPSS Near-line storage system permanently shut down
April 7, 2020
- RSA authentication permanently deactivated
- Original ssh login hostnames and online Globus endpoints will use authentication with Duo instead of RSA
- "-duo" suffix on supplemental ssh login hostnames deprecated, but will continue to function
- Globus Online organizational login page will switch from RSA to CILogon
  CILogon Duo authentication can be tested before April 7 at https://cilogon.org/ (use "National Center for Supercomputing Applications" as Identity Provider)
April 14, 2020
- Supplemental "-duo" suffixed Globus endpoint names will be permanently retired
Obsolete RSA hardware tokens do not need to be returned to NCSA, and can be disposed.

If you have any questions, please send mail to help+bw@ncsa.illinois.edu

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Blue Waters partners- As noted previously, RSA authentication to Blue Waters has an upcoming deactivation scheduled. The replacement authentication method via Duo was activated on Blue Waters in December, 2019. If you have not set up Duo and tested Duo authentication yet (for ssh or Globus endpoints), please do so as...
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Reminder: Blue Waters System Changes

Created by: jenos 2020-01-14 00:08:02 (Channels: systemnotices|policychange|newfunctionality)
Blue Waters Users:

In December 2019, you received a notification detailing some planned system changes.

Transition summary: https://bluewaters.ncsa.illinois.edu/transition

January 14, 2020 is the planned date to effect two changes worth noting:
1. SSH host key change for those using RSA-based access to login nodes
  Accessing logins via ssh for some may yield an alarming warning which includes text like:
  @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @ WARNING: REMOTE HOST IDENTIFICATION HAS CHANGED! @ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOMEONE IS DOING SOMETHING NASTY! Someone could be eavesdropping on you right now (man-in-the-middle attack)!
  This is a normal warning to receive when a host key is changed. Please follow the instructions in the FAQ to resolve the warning. Current host key fingerprints are posted there for verification.
2. Filesystem ACL Refresh
  Home, Projects, and Scratch directories will no longer allow permission (ACL) broadening by default. A service request may be created for admins to configure a specific ACL or enable self-management. This change may be disruptive to workflows depending on access to another user's folders unless a service request is made. Detailed information on the change and how to request exceptions is available here.
Blue Waters Admins

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Blue Waters Users: In December 2019, you received a notification detailing some planned system changes. Transition summary: https://bluewaters.ncsa.illinois.edu/transition January 14, 2020 is the planned date to effect two changes worth noting: SSH host key change for those using RSA-based access to login nodes Accessing logins via ssh for some may yield an alarming warning...
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Blue Waters Operations Transitioning

Created by: jenos 2019-12-19 19:03:08 (Channels: mandatory|systemnotices|general|policychange)

Hello Blue Waters partners,

Today marks the conclusion of regular NSF Blue Waters operations and allocations. Allocations ending today will be granted the normal 90 day grace period to transfer data off Blue Waters storage systems. After today, jobs remaining in the queue will be permitted to run but job submission will be disabled for expired projects.

As Blue Waters transitions to support changing workflow needs for the NGA phase of operations, several policies and processes will be adjusted. Though they are detailed in the summary page linked below, additional notices will be issued near key timeframes.

Transition summary: https://bluewaters.ncsa.illinois.edu/transition

If you have questions about any changes, please submit a service request as normal to help+bw@ncsa.illinois.edu, but keep in mind that the upcoming holiday period may not have typical business hour response.

As a final note, the Blue Waters staff has thoroughly enjoyed the challenges, innovations, enthusiasm, and breakthrough science experienced over the last seven years with everyone involved. Best of luck in the next stage of your research!

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Hello Blue Waters partners, Today marks the conclusion of regular NSF Blue Waters operations and allocations. Allocations ending today will be granted the normal 90 day grace period to transfer data off Blue Waters storage systems. After today, jobs remaining in the queue will be permitted to run but job submission...
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Blue Waters Operations transition - Portal login change

Created by: bbode 2019-12-03 15:02:16 (Channels: general|policychange)

Hello Blue Waters partners,

In seven days, on December 10th, the authentication method for the Blue Waters user portal will be changed from the current RSA PIN+tokencode to NCSA Duo. This change will mean that existing Blue Waters users will no longer be able to login to the portal. Most portal functions such as documentation and usage information are available without logging in, but functions such as adding/removing users will be impacted. This is being done to support the transition to the NGA phase of operations when all projects will utilize NCSA Duo for authencation. Please note that RSA based two-factor logins will continue to function on the current login and data mover (Globus) nodes until 3/31/2020.

If you need contiued login portal access please open a ticket via help+bw@ncsa.illinois.edu with your reason for continued access. All new projects for 2020 will be receiving information on obtaining Duo tokens as part of the project setup process that will happen between Dec. 10th and 19th.

Thank you,

The Blue Waters team.

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Hello Blue Waters partners, In seven days, on December 10th, the authentication method for the Blue Waters user portal will be changed from the current RSA PIN+tokencode to NCSA Duo. This change will mean that existing Blue Waters users will no longer be able to login to the portal. Most...
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Blue Waters Announcement: Ongoing Blue Waters Job Discounts

Created by: gbauer 2018-11-12 21:44:41 (Channels: systemnotices|general|policychange)
This is a reminder that the first period of job discounts ends on Thursday, November 15th. The second period starts on the 16th but with different criteria. Get your jobs submitted soon.

Stop by the NCSA booth and say hi if you are at SC18.

> The Blue Waters project is happy to announce two job discount periods as our way of saying thank you for another successful year of computing and the your help creating our 2017-2018 annual report.

> There are two discount periods:
1. Nov 1 - Nov 15: 50% charge discount on all queues, all jobs completing during this period
2. Nov 16 - Jan 2: 50% charge discount on all queues, all jobs completing during this period for projects that have consumed at least 25% of their current allocation.
Please submit questions and comments to help+bw@ncsa.illinois.edu.

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This is a reminder that the first period of job discounts ends on Thursday, November 15th. The second period starts on the 16th but with different criteria. Get your jobs submitted soon. Stop by the NCSA booth and say hi if you are at SC18. > The Blue Waters project is happy to...
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Blue Waters Discount Update

Created by: jenos 2018-11-02 17:22:33 (Channels: systemnotices|general|policychange)

The previously announced discounts have not changed; however, they have not been activated yet to be reflected in current charges. This is expected to be activated next week, but will be retroactively applied to the original start date of Nov 1, 2018.
Blue Waters Announcement: Blue Friday Job Discounts start today!

Created by: jenos 2018-11-01 12:34:44 (Channels: systemnotices|general|policychange)
The Blue Waters project is happy to announce two job discount periods as our way of saying thank you for another successful year of computing and the your help creating our 2017-2018 annual report.

There are two discount periods:
1. Nov 1 - Nov 15: 50% charge discount on all queues, all jobs completing during this period
2. Nov 16 - Jan 2: 50% charge discount on all queues, all jobs completing during this period for projects that have consumed at least 25% of their current allocation.
Please submit questions and comments to help+bw@ncsa.illinois.edu.

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The Blue Waters project is happy to announce two job discount periods as our way of saying thank you for another successful year of computing and the your help creating our 2017-2018 annual report. There are two discount periods: Nov 1 - Nov 15: 50% charge discount on all queues, all jobs completing during...
Read More