Overview

There are two ways to work with cluster files from your own computer as if they were local. CIFS (Common Internet File System) mounts storage as a network drive, which today means an RPX project space. SSHFS mounts any SeaWulf folder you can reach over SSH.

General project space (/gpfs/projects)

Service notice: Mounting SeaWulf project directories via CIFS is currently disabled. If you need local-machine access to shared storage, use the RPX option below instead.

RPX project space

Groups needing a shared directory mountable as a network drive across Windows, macOS, or Linux should request an RPX Project Space via a support ticket.

Key constraint: RPX directories are not accessible from SeaWulf itself: RPX is for storage, local mounting, and external sharing only.

SSHFS: mount your cluster folders on your computer

SSHFS mounts a SeaWulf folder (your home, your scratch space, or a project directory) on your own computer over SSH, so you can open and edit the files with your usual apps. It works anywhere you can log in with SSH, and it doesn't depend on the CIFS service.

Good for editing, not for big transfers. Every file you open travels over the network. To move a lot of data, use rsync or scp or Globus.

macOS and Linux

  1. Install SSHFS. On Linux, use your package manager:
    sudo apt install sshfs       # Debian or Ubuntu
sudo dnf install fuse-sshfs  # RHEL, Rocky, Alma or Fedora
    On macOS, install macFUSE and SSHFS, both from macfuse.github.io (macFUSE used to be called FUSE for macOS).
  2. Make an empty folder to mount into:
    mkdir ~/seawulf
  3. Mount your home directory. To mount scratch or a project instead, put /gpfs/scratch/<netid> or /gpfs/projects/<group> after the colon.
    sshfs -o reconnect,auto_cache <netid>@milan.seawulf.stonybrook.edu:/gpfs/home/<netid> ~/seawulf
    Enter your NetID password and approve the Duo prompt. Your files now show up in ~/seawulf.
  4. Unmount when you're done:
    fusermount -u ~/seawulf  # Linux
umount ~/seawulf         # macOS

If you see "Transport endpoint is not connected", unmount the folder and mount it again.

Windows

  1. Install WinFsp.
  2. Install SSHFS-Win. Open PowerShell and run:
    winget install SSHFS-Win.SSHFS-Win
  3. Install SSHFS-Win Manager and open it.
  4. Click Add Connection. Enter milan.seawulf.stonybrook.edu as the host, your NetID as the username, and a free drive letter. Leave Remote Path blank for your home directory, or enter /gpfs/scratch/<netid> or /gpfs/projects/<group>. Choose Password for authentication.
  5. Click Connect and approve the Duo prompt. The folder appears as a drive in File Explorer. To unmount, select the connection and click Disconnect.

When to use what

  • RPX and SSHFS mounts are best suited for lightweight editing and file management
  • For large datasets, use scp, rsync (see CLI transfer), or Globus: substantially more efficient
Applies to SeaWulf