Remote User Guide

Update Your Contact Information in the CHESS User Portal

• Since users will not be traveling to CHESS for experiments, it will be important for CHESS to be able to reach you during your beamtime. Please take a moment to update your contact information in the CHESS User Portal.
• To update your email and phone number, log on to the CHESS User Portal, access your profile by clicking on your name in the top right corner of the screen, choose “Profile” and update the relevant fields. 
  • ACTION NEEDED: Log in to CHESS User Portal to ensure contact information is correct.

Update the List of Collaborators for Your Experiment

• Only users listed as collaborators on a proposal and with a profile in the CHESS User Portal will be able to have remote access to CHESS station computers. Please contact the CHESS Users Office for help with updating the list of collaborators on your proposal or beamtime request (BTR).
  • ACTION NEEDED: Contact CHESSUserOffice@cornell.edu if you need to update collaborators on your proposal. 

Take the New "Online User Exam (for Remote Users)"

• All users are required to review the information provided in this Remote User Guide in preparation for remote experiments at CHESS and take the new quiz, the "Online User Exam (for Remote Users)". You are able to access the required Online User Exam (for Remote Users) from your dashboard when logged on to the CHESS User Portal.
  • ACTION NEEDED: Log in to CHESS User Portal and take the Online User Exam for Remote Users.

Activate your CLASSE Account 

• Upon completion of the Online User Exam (for Remote Users) CHESS will automatically issue a CLASSE account 

• In order to remotely connect to CHESS station computers, you will need a computer user ID and a user computer account. Since CHESS is part of the Cornell Laboratory for Accelerator-based ScienceS and Education, CLASSE, the computer accounts are typically referred to as “CLASSE accounts”.

• Successfully completing Online User Exam (for Remote Users) triggers automatically the creation of a CLASSE account. When the CLASSE account is set up, you will receive an email from CLASSE IT to set up your password and log on to the account. The account will be valid through the experimental run and can be extended upon request using the CLASSE-IT Service Request Form. Your CLASSE ID will be listed in your profile in the CHESS User Portal.  
  • ACTION NEEDED: Activate your CLASSE Account.

​​​​​​​PLEASE NOTE: Your CLASSE account will expire after the end of the experimental run. If you do not need your CLASSE account until your next remote beam time, then no action is required. Your CLASSE account will be automatically renewed when you complete your CHESS User Portal requirements at that time.

Prepare and Ship Your Samples

• To ship your samples to CHESS, please fill out the CHESS Shipping Document.  Please print this page and include it inside your shipping box with your sample(s). A copy of this shipping document will automatically be sent to the CHESS scientist at your beamline and the CHESS User Office (CHESSUserOffice@cornell.edu).
• Shipments must be clearly labeled referencing the CHESS Beamline and CHESS Staff Scientist on the OUTSIDE of the box. 
• Each sample is unique. Please work with CHESS staff scientists to determine WHEN to ship your samples.  
• NOTE: At Cornell, shipments are received Monday - Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. No shipments are received on weekends or holidays.
• We strongly recommend that you use a carrier such as FedEX, UPS or DHL that allows you to track your sample shipment. CHESS is not responsible for lost sample shipments.
  • ACTION NEEDED: Fill out the CHESS Shipping Form, and send your samples in a clearly marked package.  

Install and Test Remote Access

• CHESS uses NoMachine Enterprise Client as an easy-to-use connection interface to allow access to a station computer remotely. Instructions on how to install and configure the software are HERE.
• Please test the remote connection at least a week before your scheduled beamtime.  You can test your connection without interfering with CHESS experiments on a dedicated test computer as described HERE. You will obtain access to the actual station computer controlling the experimental equipment when your beamtime starts. Your access to the station computer will end when your beamtime ends. You will be able to access your data after the beamtime ends, please see below.
  • ACTION NEEDED: Test your connection by logging into a CLASSE Computer. 

Maintain Contact

• In order to be contacted by CHESS staff please provide a current phone number and e-mail address through your profile in the CHESS User Portal as described above.

Reach CHESS During Your Experiment

• During your experiment, you will be able to request support from a CHESS operator and CHESS scientists via the new online REmote ACcess Help (REACH) system. You can submit a brief description of your support needs online using the online form here.The CHESS operator on shift will address your support needs . REACH is monitored 24h during the experimental run.

Station Cameras

• Each beamline is equipped with cameras to monitor the experiments remotely. You will have access to these cameras through the station computer. Other users cannot access the cameras during your beamtime.

Video Conferencing During your Beamtime

• It is possible to set up a Skype or Zoom connection to facilitate communication with CHESS scientists using their laptops, not the station computer. Please contact the CHESS scientist  if you think a video conference would be helpful.

Status Pages

• Information regarding the status of the accelerator and updates that are important for all CHESS users can be found on the CHESS status page here.
  • Moreover, each beamline has a beamline specific status page:
  • Beamline 1A3: http://new-status.chess.cornell.edu/ID1A3
  • Beamline 2A: http://new-status.chess.cornell.edu/ID2A
  • Beamline 3A: http://new-status.chess.cornell.edu/ID3A
  • Beamline 4B: http://new-status.chess.cornell.edu/ID4B
  • Beamline 7A1: http://new-status.chess.cornell.edu/ID7A
  • Beamline 7B2: http://new-status.chess.cornell.edu/ID7B

Data retrieval

• Data collected at CHESS beamlines are written to a centralized data acquisition and storage system known as CHESS-DAQ. This system consists of a dedicated high-speed network that connects the experimental stations to hundreds of terabytes of enterprise-class redundant disk arrays, as well as an offsite magnetic tape library for long-term archival.
• Instructions for retrieving your data from CHESS-DAQ can be found HERE. The recommended method is Globus.

End of Run Survey

• Users will receive an email from the CHESS User Office to solicit feedback on the experimental run using a brief from. Your feedback is very valuable for improving the user experience at CHESS. Please fill in and submit the form after your experiment has concluded.