Backing up data from GM/CA @ APS with FDT

FDT is a Java implementation of fast data transfer developed at CERN (now the development is hosted by Github). Using this utility one can achieve substantial increase of data transfer rates over WAN compared to traditional SCP/SFTP. When comparing FDT vs bbcp, perhaps the later is more flexible, but since FDT is written in Java, it works for any operating system including MS Windows. You should be aware that FDT does not encrypt data. Only authentication is encrypted, although there are external plugins to implement encryption. If this is a concern, revert to Globus or SCP/SFTP.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Download the latest fdt.jar from Github to a computer at your institution. This file is a Java-executable, i.e. you also need Java Runtime Environment (JRE) on the operating system.
2. Copy fdt.jar to your home directory at the GM/CA @ APS computer (yes, you need the same JAR file at both ends):

   scp -p ftd.jar [email protected]
         

   where X=1 for 23ID-D and X=2 for 23ID-B.
3. Read the FDT documentation explaining the program options. You will be using FDT in the SCP mode.
4. Because of firewall considerations, FDT needs to be started at a computer running in your institution and instructed to connect to blXws5.gmca.aps.anl.gov (X=1 for 23ID-D and X=2 for 23ID-B).
5. Use the following command to copy data:

   java -jar fdt.jar -p 50000 -pull -r [email protected]:sourcefolder destinationfolder

   Here '-p 50000' is the TCP port to be used (this option is mandatory and the port number must not be changed), '-pull' instructs FDT to pull data from blXws5.gmca.aps.anl.gov, and '-r' means recursive directory scanning.