How To Install, Access, and Use iRODS clients

This page provides an overview on how to install, access, and use a few different clients to access your data stored on iRODS.

What is iRODS?

iRODS™, the Integrated Rule-Oriented Data System, is a data grid software system used by GENI to store configuration, state, and measurement data associated with an experiment. More information on iRODS can be found at ​http://www.irods.org

Clients

iRODS data can be accessed, managed, and manipulated using iRODS clients such as icommands, an iRODS web interface, and the iDrop interface. The icommands client must be installed and executed whereas the web interface and iDrop interface can both be accessed using a common web browser.

icommands

The icommands client is a command line interface that can be installed on Unix-based operating systems (Linux, Solaris, Macintosh, AIX) as well as Windows platforms.

Installation

The software for the icommands client can be downloaded from ​https://www.irods.org/index.php/Downloads. Installation instructions for all supported platforms can be found at ​https://www.irods.org/index.php/Installation.

Configure iRODS environment

Once the icommands client has been installed, you must then configure you iRODS environment. This can be done by editing $HOME/.irods/.irodsEnv. You can set the contents of this file using the configuration given to you by the GENI Portal when creating your account there.

You can then run iinit to cache your password so you do not have to keep typing it for each command. Your password will be saved as a hash so it cannot be viewed by anyone.

$ iinit
Enter your current iRODS password:
$ 

Change password

When you create your iRODS account in the GENI Portal, you will be given a temporary password that will not be saved anywhere. You should change your password immediately so you do not risk the chance of losing or forgetting it. To change your password with the icommands client, you simply need to run the ipasswd command:

$ ipasswd
Enter your current iRODS password:
Enter your new iRODS password:
Reenter your new iRODS password:
$ 

Web interface