FAQs

How can I access the old CVS repository

HMDC houses a legacy CVS repository, we no longer create new CVS project repos, but old repos can be accessed using the following information:

First, find out which shell you work in, from a terminal prompt type the following:

echo $SHELL

If you see tcsh, type the following:

setenv CVS_RSH ssh

Otherwise type:

export CVS_RSH=ssh

Then type the following to checkout your repo to your current directory:

cvs -d <username>@cvs.hmdc....

Is phpMyAdmin available for database access?

Yes, but access is limited to within the RCE only. Create or log in to your NX session and navigate to phpmyadmin.hmdc.harvard.edu. Log in to phpMyAdmin using your database credentials. Make sure the proper host is selected in the drop down. If you don't know your host, check the email that was sent to you when you requested the database.

NX session freezes clicking !M menu->Show menu panel

This is a known bug, and will require the user to login and terminate their session:

http://projects.iq.harvard.edu/rce/faq/how-do-i-terminate-my-nx-session

Why do I get the java error "Could not reserve enough space for object heap"?

When running an RCE Powered Application -- for example an RCE Shell -- you have the opportunity to reserve a requested amount of system memory.

The Java JRE is not aware of the resource limit you have set, and will try (and fail) to grab as much of the system memory as is free. (Java bug 8043516)

This will typically result in one of the following errors:

"Could not reserve...

Will ArcGIS be available on the RCE?

Unfortunately, at this time, ArcGIS remains a Windows-only product. As the RCE is based on Linux, we're currently unable to provide this software. Students and faculty can visit the following pages for obtaining and using ArcGIS:

How do I install software packages on the RCE?

As a RCE user, you are allowed to install packages and modules to your own home directory. We have documentation for installing modules for Python, R, and Stata, in this section:

Installing Modules

Many common statistical applications are already available, pre-installed in the RCE. If you need additional software for your work in the RCE, you are free to download, build, and...

Can I submit a batch job from an RCE Powered shell or other RCE Powered application?

Yes -- with some restrictions.

See our page in the Batch docs here: http://projects.iq.harvard.edu/rce/book/submit-batch-job-rce-powered-interactive-job-0

How to exit a job from a shell OR cannot start RCE job -- too many CPUs

The commands below will help you exit an RCE job from a terminal if the application window has disappeared, or you need to exit it and do not have access to your NX session. This can be accomplished by using an ssh client and connecting to rce.hmdc.harvard.edu, or opening a terminal window in the RCE.

The same commands can be used If you are running into an error starting a new RCE job due to too many CPU's in use, you need to terminate your jobs that were tied to an old nx session. The commands that are highlighted below should enable you to remove...

Why do I see other people's RCE sessions when I log in?

This is a bug/feature of NoMachine 4; you can hide all sessions except for yours by clicking "All Desktops".

What is the cost to use the RCE?

The RCE is free to use for qualified individuals in the pursuit of social science research, within certain limits.

If your needs exceed the capacities of the shared RCE environment, we can work with you to establish dedicated RCE resources for your exclusive use. If you are planning a large project, please contact us prior to your grant application so that we can assist in budgetary estimation.

The standard limits...

Research Computing Environment (RCE)

For intensive social science computing