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==Installation==
==Installation==
Decide on a username to run the experiment, and log in as this username on the host machine. This machine will host
Log on to the host machine. This machine will host the MIDAS experiment, i.e. where the ODB and other shared memory buffers will reside. This will also be where the MIDAS and other packages will be installed, and will be called the MIDAS host (localhost). Decide on a name for the experiment (i.e. MIDAS experiment name).
the MIDAS experiment, i.e. where the ODB and other shared memory buffers will reside. This will also be where the MIDAS and other packages will be installed, and will be called the MIDAS host (localhost). Decide on a name for the experiment (i.e. MIDAS experiment name).
   
   
In these instructions, the username is "johnfoo" and the MIDAS and other packages will be installed under $HOME/packages/ . The MIDAS experiment directory will be $HOME/online and the MIDAS experiment name will be "e777". The MIDAS host name will be "mhostpc" The user will substitute appropriate host name, username, MIDAS experiment name and directories for his/her own setup.
In these instructions, the username is "johnfoo" and the MIDAS and other packages will be installed under $HOME/packages . The MIDAS experiment directory will be $HOME/online and the MIDAS experiment name will be "e777". The MIDAS host name will be "mhostpc" The user will substitute appropriate host name, username, MIDAS experiment name and directories for his/her own setup.


== Experimental setup ==
== Experimental setup ==
These instructions describe setting up an experiment that will run ONLY on the MIDAS host computer (i.e. '''localhost only'''). In this case, the MIDAS host has access to any hardware required, and all frontends, logger, analyzer etc. run on the one computer.  
These instructions describe setting up an experiment that will run ONLY on the MIDAS host computer (i.e. '''localhost only'''). In this case, the MIDAS host has access to any hardware required, and all frontends, logger, analyzer etc. run on the one computer.  


Modifications to run an experiment with additional frontend(s) running remotely (i.e. on remote cpu(s)) will be described
Modifications to run an experiment with additional frontend(s) running '''remotely''' (i.e. on remote cpu(s)) will also be described
below. In that case, the remote cpu(s) typically have access to some or all the hardware. They might be cpus running in VME crates for example, connected to the MIDAS Host via Ethernet.  They read data from the hardware and send it back to the MIDAS Host to be analyzed and/or logged.
below. Follow the instructions for setting up a localhost experiment until indicated.
 
In the case of remote frontend(s), the remote cpu(s) typically have access to some or all of the hardware. They might be VMIC cpus running in VME crates for example, connected to the MIDAS Host via Ethernet.  They read data from the hardware and send it back to the MIDAS Host to be logged and analyzed.
   
   
In both cases, the main MIDAS applications (e.g. [[mlogger]], [[mhttpd]]) run on the MIDAS host.
In both cases, the main MIDAS applications (e.g. [[mlogger]], [[mhttpd]]) run on the MIDAS host.
Line 17: Line 18:
==Environment Variables==
==Environment Variables==
The following Environment variables should to be added to the $HOME/.cshrc (or .bash) file depending on your shell so that they will then be defined at login. Substitute appropriate values for your own setup.
The following Environment variables should to be added to the $HOME/.cshrc (or .bash) file depending on your shell so that they will then be defined at login. Substitute appropriate values for your own setup.
<small>
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
Line 38: Line 40:
| setenv PATH .:$HOME/online/bin:$ROOTSYS/bin:$PATH|| export PATH=$PATH:$HOME/online/bin:$ROOTSYS/bin  ||if using ROOT
| setenv PATH .:$HOME/online/bin:$ROOTSYS/bin:$PATH|| export PATH=$PATH:$HOME/online/bin:$ROOTSYS/bin  ||if using ROOT
|}
|}
</small>
Logout and login again, or source .cshrc (source .bashrc) for the changes to take effect.
Logout and login again, or source .cshrc (source .bashrc) for the changes to take effect.


== ROOT Package Installation ==
== ROOT Package Installation ==
For full MIDAS operation, ROOT is needed for the data logging and analysis packages. However, ROOT is not essential to run MIDAS. If ROOT is NOT installed, the environment variable ROOTSYS should be undefined.
For full MIDAS operation, ROOT is needed for the data logging and analysis packages. It needed to build the example analyzer in this Quickstart.  However, ROOT is not essential to run MIDAS. If ROOT is NOT installed, the environment variable ROOTSYS should be undefined.


If ROOT is needed, see [[Setup MIDAS experiment#Install ROOT|Install ROOT]].
If ROOT is needed, see [[Setup MIDAS experiment#Install ROOT|Install ROOT]].
Line 48: Line 50:
== MIDAS Package Installation ==
== MIDAS Package Installation ==
Installed the MIDAS and other package(s) from the MIDAS git repository as follows:
Installed the MIDAS and other package(s) from the MIDAS git repository as follows:
<small>
     mkdir $HOME/packages
     mkdir $HOME/packages
     cd $HOME/packages
     cd $HOME/packages
     git clone https://bitbucket.org/tmidas/midas
     git clone https://bitbucket.org/tmidas/midas
     git clone https://bitbucket.org/tmidas/mxml
     git clone https://bitbucket.org/tmidas/mxml
 
</small>
Install the MSCB  package only if you will be using the MSCB (see[[MSCB Page]]) system for slow-controls:
Install the MSCB  package only if you will be using the MSCB (see[[MSCB Page]]) system for slow-controls:
<small>
     git clone https://bitbucket.org/tmidas/mscb    ## MSCB package
     git clone https://bitbucket.org/tmidas/mscb    ## MSCB package
     cd mscb
     cd mscb
     make        ## Build the MSCB package
     make        ## Build the MSCB package
     cd ../
     cd ../
 
</small>
The MIDAS Makefile will auto-detect whether MSCB, ROOT, MYSQL, SQLITE, ODBC etc. are available (or have been installed). If you need these features, make sure they are available before building the MIDAS package.
The MIDAS Makefile will auto-detect whether MSCB, ROOT, MYSQL, SQLITE, ODBC etc. are available (or have been installed). If you need these features, make sure they are available before building the MIDAS package.
 
<small>
     cd midas
     cd midas
     make          ## Build the MIDAS package
     make          ## Build the MIDAS package
     ls -l linux/bin/odbedit      ### check that odbedit has been created (do not run it yet)
     ls -l linux/bin/odbedit      ### check that odbedit has been created (do not run it yet)
 
</small> 
In case of problems see  [[Installation#Installing MIDAS|bitbucket down]] or [[Installation/Compilation problems#SSL certificate errors|SSL certificate errors]].
In case of problems see  [[Installation#Installing MIDAS|bitbucket is down]] or [[Installation/Compilation problems#SSL certificate errors|SSL certificate errors]].




==ROOTANA Package Installation==
==ROOTANA Package Installation==
If ROOTANA is needed,
If ROOTANA is needed,
     cd $HOME/packages
     <small>cd $HOME/packages
     git clone https://bitbucket.org/tmidas/rootana
     git clone https://bitbucket.org/tmidas/rootana
     cd rootana
     cd rootana
     make
     make
 
</small>
==ROODY Package Installation==
==ROODY Package Installation==
If ROODY is needed,
If ROODY is needed,
     cd $HOME/packages
     <small>cd $HOME/packages
     git clone https://bitbucket.org/tmidas/roody
     git clone https://bitbucket.org/tmidas/roody
     cd roody
     cd roody
     make
     make</small>
      
      


== Create exptab ==
== Create the Experiment file exptab ==
In this example, the experimental directory is $HOME/online.
In this example, the experimental directory is $HOME/online.
  mkdir $HOME/online
  <small>mkdir $HOME/online
  cd $HOME/online
  cd $HOME/online</small>
Create the [[exptab]] file "$HOME/online/exptab" containing the three parameters
Create the [[exptab]] file "$HOME/online/exptab" containing the three parameters
# the experiment name  
# the experiment name  
# location of MIDAS shared memory buffers
# location of MIDAS shared memory buffers
# username
# username
as follows:
as follows (using parameters for your own experiment):
     cat > exptab
     <small>cat > exptab
     e777 /home/johnfoo/online johnfoo
     e777 /home/johnfoo/online johnfoo</small>


== Create shared memory files  ==
== Create shared memory files  ==
Line 103: Line 106:
    
    
Now run odbedit, and type the command "ls" to list the default directories.  
Now run odbedit, and type the command "ls" to list the default directories.  
  odbedit>
  <small>odbedit>
  [local:e777:S]/>ls
  [local:e777:S]/>ls
  Experiment
  Experiment
Line 110: Line 113:
  Logger
  Logger
  Runinfo
  Runinfo
  Alarms  
  Alarms</small>
   
   


== Run the MIDAS logger [[mlogger]] ==
== Run the MIDAS logger ==
Start the MIDAS logger
Start the MIDAS logger [[mlogger]]
$ mlogger  
<small>$mlogger</small>
This should start without error at this point. It is usually run as a daemon, however in this case it is run in a terminal to check for errors.
This should start without error at this point. It is usually run as a daemon, however in this case it is run in a terminal to check for errors. Starting the midas logger [[mlogger]] will automatically create more keys in the  {{Odbpath|path=/Logger}} ODB tree.


== Run the MIDAS Web Server mhttpd ==
 
== Run the MIDAS Web Server ==
If you are running behind a firewall or plan to set up an HTTPS/SSL proxy, follow the instructions  
If you are running behind a firewall or plan to set up an HTTPS/SSL proxy, follow the instructions  
[[Setup MIDAS experiment#mhttpd using an HTTPS/SSL proxy|mhttpd using an HTTPS/SSL proxy]].
[[Setup MIDAS experiment#mhttpd using an HTTPS/SSL proxy|mhttpd using an HTTPS/SSL proxy]].


Otherwise, the default HTTPS/SSL web server (Mongoose) will be used.
Otherwise, the MIDAS Web Server [[mhttpd]] with HTTPS/SSL (Mongoose) will be used. This is the default.
Now try to start [[mhttpd]] like this:
Now start [[mhttpd]] like this:
  $ mhttpd
  <small>$ mhttpd</small>
You will get the following messages:
You will get the following messages:  
  [mhttpd,INFO] ODB subtree /Runinfo corrected successfully
  <small>[mhttpd,INFO] ODB subtree /Runinfo corrected successfully
  Mongoose web server will listen on ports "8080r,8443s"
  Mongoose web server will listen on ports "8080r,8443s"
  Mongoose web server will use SSL certificate file "/home/johnfoo/packages/midas/ssl_cert.pem"
  Mongoose web server will use SSL certificate file "/home/johnfoo/packages/midas/ssl_cert.pem"
  [mhttpd,ERROR] [mhttpd.cxx:17633:mongoose,ERROR] mongoose web server cannot find password file "/home/johnfoo/online/htpasswd.txt"
  [mhttpd,ERROR] [mhttpd.cxx:17633:mongoose,ERROR] mongoose web server cannot find password file "/home/johnfoo/online/htpasswd.txt"
  [mhttpd,ERROR] [mhttpd.cxx:17634:mongoose,ERROR] please create password file: htdigest -c /home/johnfoo/online/htpasswd.txt Default midas
  [mhttpd,ERROR] [mhttpd.cxx:17634:mongoose,ERROR] please create password file: htdigest -c /home/johnfoo/online/htpasswd.txt Default midas
  could not start the mongoose web server, see messages and midas.log, bye!
  could not start the mongoose web server, see messages and midas.log, bye!</small>


For testing, use the SSL certificate file provided in the MIDAS package (unless your site provides one, or you wish to create one of your own, see [[Mhttpd#Create an SSL certificate|Create an SSL certificate]]).  
For testing, use the SSL certificate file provided in the MIDAS package (unless your site provides one, or you wish to [[Mhttpd#Create an SSL certificate|create your own SSL certificate]].  


However, you do need to create a password file by following the above instructions. You will be asked to type in a password
However, you do need to create a password file by following the above instructions. You will be asked to type in a password


$ htdigest -c /home/johnfoo/online/htpasswd.txt Default midas
<small>
Adding password for midas in realm Default.
$htdigest -c /home/johnfoo/online/htpasswd.txt Default midas
New password:
Adding password for midas in realm Default.
Re-type new password:
New password:
Re-type new password:
</small>
Now restart mhttpd
<small>$mhttpd
Mongoose web server will listen on ports "8080r,8443s" **see note
Mongoose web server will use SSL certificate file "/home/suz/packages/midas/ssl_cert.pem"
Mongoose web server will use authentication realm "Default", password file "./htpasswd.txt"
</small>
Now point a web browser running on the same host computer (localhost) to https://localhost:8443
If the web browser is running on a different computer, go to URL of the form
<small>
https://mhostpc.triumf.ca:8443  (substitute your host machine name and domain for "mhostpc.triumf.ca")
</small>
If you are using the default SSL certificate you will probably get a message: "This Connection is Untrusted".  Click "I understand the risks" and add an exception. This is because the test certificate is self-signed. Then confirm an exception.
 
You should then see an authentication box asking you for the user name and password. The user name is "midas". Enter the password you just created. The Midas [[Status Page]] should appear with multiple buttons for run control as well as equipment listing (no equipments will be listed as yet) and application listings. Please refer to [[mhttpd]] (the MIDAS Web-based Run Control utility) for further information. You can start and stop runs from the main status page, and use the [[ODB Page]] to access the database (ODB).
 
;** Note
: Default ports of 8080 and 8443 are used by [[mhttpd]]. If these ports are in use on your machine, start mhttpd with alternative ports, e.g.
      <small>$mhttpd --https 8448 --http 8089</small>
: or see [[Mhttpd#Usage]] to change the default ports.
 
 
== Clients run on Localhost only ==
;NOTE:
* If creating a MIDAS experiment with a '''REMOTE''' frontend, '''continue by following the instructions''' [[#Running with one or more REMOTE frontend(s)]].
* If all clients are running on '''localhost''', continue with the following instructions:
 
=== frontend and analyzer ===
A frontend is a program that usually reads data from the hardware and sends the data to be logged and analyzed. You can find documentation about the frontend structure under [[Frontend Application]], [[Frontend Operation]] and [[Frontend user code]].
 
There are several examples of [[Frontend user code]] (frontend.c) in the MIDAS package available under $MIDASSYS/examples/. Choose a suitable example from this directory that you can later modify for your own particular setup (e.g. for a slow control, choose the slowcont/ example).
 
The example chosen here is from $MIDASSYS/examples/experiment/. It does not need any hardware and produces simulated events. 
 
On the MIDAS host (localhost), copy the example to the experiment directory and build it.
      cd $HOME/online
      cp $MIDASSYS/examples/experiment/* .
      make
The analyzer will only build if ROOT has previously been installed.
At this point the frontend and the analyzer should be ready if no errors were generated during the build. Try the frontend and analyzer by starting them in xterms.
$frontend
Starting the frontend will automatically create the  {{Odbpath|path=/Equipment}} ODB tree and one or more equipments. In this case, the equipments "trigger" and "scaler" have been defined by code in frontend.c and created the first time frontend runs.
 
$odbedit
[local:e777:S]/>ls /equipment
Trigger                       
Scaler 
View the MIDAS main status web page (by pointing your browser to https://localhost:8443/ or appropriate port if not using the default).
Observe on the [[Status Page]] that the two Equipments (Trigger, Scaler) have appeared in the Equipment section. Rather than using odbedit,  you can view the contents of these equipments by clicking on the ODB button, then on /Equipment, then Trigger or Scaler. See [[ODB Page]] for more information.
 
Start a run by pressing the Start button on the [[Status Page]].
 
The frontend will show an event display that will update when a run is started, e.g.


Now restart mhttpd
Sample Frontend connected to <local>. Press "!" to exit      18:48:2546:08
$ mhttpd
==========================================================================
Mongoose web server will listen on ports "8080r,8443s"
Run status:  Running    Run number 2                                  |/   /
Mongoose web server will use SSL certificate file "/home/suz/packages/midas/ssl_cert.pem"
===========================================================================
Mongoose web server will use authentication realm "Default", password file "./htpasswd.txt"
Equipment    Status    Events    Events/sec Rate[B/s]  ODB->FE FE->OD
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trigger      OK        13948      99.0      5413.0    0          140       
  aler        OK        15        0.3        15.4      0          15   


Now point a web browser running on the same host computer (localhost) to https://localhost:8443/
The [[Status Page]] will also show events being generated (click the refresh button if necessary).  
(If the web browser is running on a different computer, go to URL
https://mhostpc.triumf.ca:8443  where you substitute your host machine name for "mhostpc.triumf.ca").


If you are using the default SSL certificate you will probably get a "This Connection is Untrusted" message.  Click "I understand the risks" and add an exception. This is because the test certificate is self-signed. Then confirm an exception.  
While a run is in progress, the midas application mdump will provide you an event dump of the collected data from the running frontend, e.g.
$ mdump -l 50
- MIDAS revision: Mon Nov 2 11:50:51 2015 -0800 - 3b66779 -- Enter <!> to Exit ------- Midas Dump ---
------------------------ Event# 1 ------------------------
Evid:0001- Mask:0000- Serial:0- Time:0x567a0c5d- Dsize:40/0x28
#banks:2 - Bank list:-ADC0TDC0-


You should then see an authentication box asking you for the user name and password. The user name is "midas". Enter the password you just created. Then you should see the MIDAS [[Status Page]] for your experiment.
Bank:ADC0 Length: 8(I*1)/2(I*4)/4(Type) Type:Unsigned Integer*2
  1-> 0x0167 0x03c6 0x0069 0x0073


Note that the default ports of 8080 and 8443 are used by [[mhttpd]]. If these ports are in use on your machine, start mhttpd with alternative ports, e.g.
Bank:TDC0 Length: 8(I*1)/2(I*4)/4(Type) Type:Unsigned Integer*2
$ mhttpd --https 8448 --http 8089
  1-> 0x0051 0x00ff 0x004a 0x00ec
or see [[Mhttpd#Usage]] to change the default ports.


For further data processing/analysis, either the midas analyzer or the rootana can used for data display as well.


== Create a start_daq script ==
=== Create a start_daq script ===
Create $HOME/online/bin/start_daq.sh as follows, (supply the mhttpd ports if default is not used).
It is useful to create a script that will automatically start all the required clients for the experiment. This is called a start_daq script. Create $HOME/online/bin/start_daq.sh as follows, (supply the mhttpd ports if default is not used).


  #!/bin/sh
  <small>#!/bin/sh
  # start_daq.sh
  # start_daq.sh
  cd $HOME/online
  cd $HOME/online
Line 173: Line 239:
  xterm -e ./analyzer &
  xterm -e ./analyzer &
  mlogger -D
  mlogger -D
  #end file
  #end file</small>
 
Before running this script, you will need to shutdown mhttpd and mlogger if they are running. This script will start them as daemons. You will also need to [[#Create a frontend and analyzer]] if desired.
 
== Create a frontend and analyzer ==
There are several examples available under $MIDASSYS/examples/. Choose a suitable example from this directory that you can modify later for your own particular setup (e.g. for a slow control, choose the slowcont/ example). The example chosen here is $MIDASSYS/examples/experiment/ .


On the MIDAS host (localhost), copy the example to the experiment directory and build it.
Before running this script, you will need to shutdown any running clients:
      cd $HOME/online
$odbedit -c "sh all"
      cp $MIDASSYS/examples/experiment/* .
or you can use the mhttpd [[Program Page]] to shut them down.
      make
The analyzer will build properly if ROOT has been previously installed.
    At this point the frontend and the analyzer should be ready if no errors were generated during the build. You can try the frontend and analyzer by starting them by hand, or run the script start_daq.sh (see [[#Create a start_daq script]]).


By running the script start_daq.sh, several midas applications will be started in sequence.
The script will start them as daemons.
        Cleanup previous midas application (if any).
By running the script start_daq.sh, several midas applications will be started in sequence:
        Start the midas web server [mhttpd]
# Cleanup previous midas application (if any).
        Start the frontend application in its own xterm (for debugging purpose).
# Start the midas web server [mhttpd]
        Start the analyzer application in its own xterm (for debugging purpose).
# Start the frontend application in its own xterm (for debugging purpose).
        Start the Midas Data logger [mlogger]
# Start the analyzer application in its own xterm (for debugging purpose).
# Start the Midas Data logger [mlogger]


   $ sh ./start_daq
   $ sh ./start_daq


Starting a frontend will automatically create the /Equipment ODB tree and one or more equipments. Starting the midas logger [[mlogger]] will automatically create more keys in the /Logger ODB tree.
View the MIDAS main status web page by pointing your browser to https://localhost:8443/ (or appropriate port if not using the default).
The Midas run status page should appear with multiple buttons for run control as well as equipment listing and application listings. Please refer to [[mhttpd]] (the MIDAS Web-based Run Control utility) for further information. You can start and stop runs from the main status page, and use the [[ODB Page]] to access the database (ODB). You will want to customize the ODB for your experiment. 
While a run is in progress, the midas application [[mdump]] will provide you an event dump of the collected data from the running frontend. For further data processing/analysis, either the midas analyzer or the rootana can used for data display as well.


      
      
== Running with one or more REMOTE frontend(s) ==
== Running with one or more REMOTE frontend(s) ==
These instructions assume you have already setup an experiment running on localhost, i.e. you have setup the MIDAS Environment variables, downloaded MIDAS packages, setup the mhttpd password etc.
These instructions assume you have already followed the instructions to setup an experiment running on localhost, i.e. you have setup the MIDAS Environment variables, downloaded MIDAS packages, setup the [[mhttpd]] password etc.  
 
Follow these instructions to make the modifications needed to run an experiment with remote frontends.


These instructions also assume that there is one '''remote''' cpu, which is a 32-bit machine which mounts the /home disk of the localhost machine, so that it has access to the MIDAS packages, the $HOME/online directory and shares the .cshrc (or .bash) script. The REMOTE Host will be called "rlxhost" in these instructions.
These instructions assume that there is one '''remote''' cpu, which is a 32-bit machine which mounts the /home disk of the localhost machine, so that it has access to the MIDAS packages, the $HOME/online directory and shares the .cshrc (or .bash) script. The REMOTE Host will be called "rlxhost" in these instructions.


If the MIDAS host computer (localhost) is 64-bit, and the frontend is 32-bit, you will need to build the 32-bit MIDAS libraries on the 64-bit machine, i.e.
If the MIDAS host computer (localhost) is 64-bit, and the frontend is 32-bit, you will need to build the 32-bit MIDAS libraries on the 64-bit machine, i.e.
Line 219: Line 269:
=== Modify .cshrc (.bash) ===
=== Modify .cshrc (.bash) ===
Add the following to the .cshrc (modified appropriately for .bash).  When running with a REMOTE Host, the application [[mserver]] will be started (using a particular port) on the MIDAS host machine only.  Note that the environment variable MIDAS_SERVER_HOST is defined on the remote machine(s) but not on the MIDAS host.  
Add the following to the .cshrc (modified appropriately for .bash).  When running with a REMOTE Host, the application [[mserver]] will be started (using a particular port) on the MIDAS host machine only.  Note that the environment variable MIDAS_SERVER_HOST is defined on the remote machine(s) but not on the MIDAS host.  
# setenv MIDAS_HOST mhostpc  # substitute your midas host name
# setenv MIDAS_HOST mhostpc  # substitute your midas host name
# setenv REMOTE_HOST rlxhost  # substitute your remote host name (add more if > 1)
# setenv REMOTE_HOST rlxhost  # substitute your remote host name (add more if > 1)
# setup the MIDAS mserver host
# setup the MIDAS mserver host
#
#
switch (`hostname`)
switch (`hostname`)
case $MIDAS_HOST*:                 
case $MIDAS_HOST*:                 
   unsetenv MIDAS_SERVER_HOST    ## MIDAS_SERVER_HOST not defined
   unsetenv MIDAS_SERVER_HOST    ## MIDAS_SERVER_HOST not defined
   breaksw
   breaksw
default:
default:
setenv MIDAS_SERVER_HOST $MIDAS_HOST.triumf.ca:1175  ## for remote host, define as hostname + domain name + default mserver port
setenv MIDAS_SERVER_HOST $MIDAS_HOST.triumf.ca:1175  ## for remote host, define as hostname + domain name + default mserver port
                                                ## port must match that of [[mserver]] used in start_daq.sh  
                                                      ## port must match that of [[mserver]] used in start_daq.sh  
endsw
endsw
#
#
# select 64-bit or 32-bit MIDAS and ROOT
# select 64-bit or 32-bit MIDAS and ROOT
#
#
switch (`uname -i`)
switch (`uname -i`)
case i386:
case i386:
   setenv ROOTSYS /triumfcs/trshare/olchansk/root/root_v5.28.00_SL55_32
   setenv ROOTSYS /triumfcs/trshare/olchansk/root/root_v5.28.00_SL55_32
   setenv PATH .:$MIDASSYS/linux-m32/bin:$PATH
   setenv PATH .:$MIDASSYS/linux-m32/bin:$PATH
   breaksw
   breaksw
default:
default:
   setenv ROOTSYS $HOME/packages/root
   setenv ROOTSYS $HOME/packages/root
   setenv PATH .:$MIDASSYS/linux/bin:$PATH
   setenv PATH .:$MIDASSYS/linux/bin:$PATH
endsw
endsw
#
#
setenv PATH .:$HOME/online/bin:$HOME/packages/roody/bin:$ROOTSYS/bin:$PATH
setenv PATH .:$HOME/online/bin:$HOME/packages/roody/bin:$ROOTSYS/bin:$PATH
#
#


After executing .cshrc (or .bash) or logging out, on the MIDAS host (mhostpc) make sure MIDAS_SERVER_HOST is NOT defined
After executing .cshrc (or .bash) or logging out, on the MIDAS host (mhostpc) make sure MIDAS_SERVER_HOST is NOT defined
Line 256: Line 306:


Also on the REMOTE Host, make sure that the correct (32-bit) odbedit will be used (do not run it yet!)
Also on the REMOTE Host, make sure that the correct (32-bit) odbedit will be used (do not run it yet!)
[johnfoo@rlxhost e777]$ which odbedit
[johnfoo@rlxhost e777]$ which odbedit
/home/johnfoo/packages/midas/linux-m32/bin/odbedit
/home/johnfoo/packages/midas/linux-m32/bin/odbedit


=== Grant REMOTE host access permission ===  
=== Grant REMOTE host access permission ===  
Give permission for the remote host(s) to access the experiment. Follow the instructions [[Security#MIDAS programs on remote machines||Allow MIDAS programs on remote machines]].  If the MIDAS web server is running, use [[ODB Page]] to edit the ODB keys listed, otherwise use [[odbedit]] on the MIDAS host machine.
Give permission for the remote host(s) to access the experiment. Follow the instructions [[Security#MIDAS programs on remote machines||Allow MIDAS programs on remote machines]].  If the MIDAS web server is running, use [[ODB Page]] to edit the ODB keys listed, otherwise use [[odbedit]] on the MIDAS host machine.
   
   
=== Modify experiment startup script ===
=== Create experiment startup script ===
Modify the experiment startup script start_daq.sh.
It is useful to create a script that will automatically start all the required clients for the experiment. This is called a start_daq script. Create $HOME/online/bin/start_daq.sh as follows, (supply the mhttpd ports if default is not used).
 
The application [[mserver]] is not required when running on localhost only, but it IS required for access from a REMOTE frontend.
The application [[mserver]] is not required when running on localhost only, but it IS required for access from a REMOTE frontend.
#!/bin/sh
#!/bin/sh
# start_daq.sh
# start_daq.sh
cd $HOME/online
cd $HOME/online
#
#
switch (`hostname`)
switch (`hostname`)
case $MIDAS_HOST*:
  case $MIDAS_HOST*:
    echo "Good, we are on $MIDAS_HOST"
      echo "Good, we are on $MIDAS_HOST"
    breaksw
      breaksw
case $REMOTE_HOST*:
  case $REMOTE_HOST*:
    echo "start_daq script should be executed on $MIDAS_HOST"
      echo "start_daq script should be executed on $MIDAS_HOST"
endsw
endsw
#
#
odbedit -c clean
odbedit -c clean
#  start mhttpd on default port (Mongoose https version)
#  start mhttpd on default port (Mongoose https version)
mhttpd  -D  # optionally restrict access to localhost and/or other specified hosts - see [[mhttpd]]
mhttpd  -D  # optionally restrict access to localhost and/or other specified hosts - see [[mhttpd]]
#  start mserver on default port (use argument -p to use a different port)  
#  start mserver on default port (use argument -p to use a different port)  
mserver -D  # start mserver on default port (1175) or a different port using -p option - see [[mserver]]
mserver -D  # start mserver on default port (1175) or a different port using -p option - see [[mserver]]
            # the port must match that of MIDAS_SERVER_HOST in .cshrc (.bash) - see above
            # the port must match that of MIDAS_SERVER_HOST in .cshrc (.bash) - see above
            # access must be specifically allowed - see above
            # access must be specifically allowed - see above
xterm -e ./analyzer &
xterm -e ./analyzer &
## start frontend on remote host
## start frontend on remote host
#ssh $REMOTE_HOST $HOME/online/bin/start_frontend -O >& $HOME/online/bin/start_frontend.log  &
#ssh $REMOTE_HOST $HOME/online/bin/start_frontend -O >& $HOME/online/bin/start_frontend.log  &
mlogger -D
mlogger -D
#end file
#end file


Note that command to start the frontend on the remote host is commented out. It can be uncommented once the start_frontend script is
Note that command to start the frontend on the remote host is commented out. It can be uncommented once the start_frontend script is
Line 298: Line 349:


Execute the new startup script start_daq.sh and check that odbedit now works on the REMOTE host  
Execute the new startup script start_daq.sh and check that odbedit now works on the REMOTE host  
  [johnfoo@rlxhost e777]$ odbedit
  [johnfoo@rlxhost e777]$ odbedit
  [mhostpc.triumf.ca:1177:e777:Stopped]/>ls
  [mhostpc.triumf.ca:1177:e777:Stopped]/>ls
If it does not, check that  
If it does not, check that  
* MIDAS_SERVER_HOST is setup correctly
* MIDAS_SERVER_HOST is setup correctly
Line 309: Line 358:


=== Build the frontend ===
=== Build the frontend ===
The frontend must be built on the REMOTE Host (a 32-bit machine in this example). To avoid confusion, create a different subdirectory
The frontend must be built on the REMOTE Host (because it is a 32-bit machine in this example). To avoid confusion, on the REMOTE host create a different subdirectory for the frontend running on the remote host, e.g.
for the frontend running on the remote host, e.g.
   mkdir $HOME/online/frontend
   mkdir $HOME/online/fe32
Copy an example frontend and Makefile (from $MIDASSYS/examples/) to this directory and modify for your hardware as needed. The example Frontend.c is an example of [[Frontend user code]]. Use the modified Makefile to compile and build a frontend client with the 32-bit MIDAS libraries. You can find documentation about the frontend structure under [[Frontend Application]], [[Frontend Operation]] and [[Frontend user code]].
Create or modify an example frontend in this directory, and modify a Makefile to compile and build it with the 32-bit MIDAS libraries.
 
Copy the example analyser to $HOME/online on the MIDAS host and build it.
 
Once built, start the frontend by hand (while logged on to the REMOTE host). Check that it connects successfully to the experiment (e.g. with mhttpd Status Page).
Once built, start the frontend by hand (while logged on to the REMOTE host). Check that it connects successfully to the experiment (e.g. with mhttpd Status Page).


=== Create start_frontend script ===   
=== Create start_frontend script ===   
Create start_frontend script (e.g. file $HOME/online/bin/start_frontend)
The startup file start_daq.sh  invoked a file start_frontend to start the remote frontend. This line was commented out (see above). Now that the frontend is working, create start_frontend script (e.g. file $HOME/online/bin/start_frontend).
 
#!/bin/tcsh
# Script to start frontend running on $REMOTE_HOST
#
# This script runs on the REMOTE HOST
#
echo "starting frontend for experiment $MIDAS_EXPT_NAME "
xterm -geometry 150x50+800+0 -fg white -bg blue -title "Frontend" -e  "$HOME/$ONLINE/fe32/frontend" &
echo "Frontend task has been started"
exit


#!/bin/tcsh
Check that this script works by running it on the REMOTE host.
# Script to start frontend running on $REMOTE_HOST
Then uncomment line in start_daq.sh, and check that start_daq.sh can start all the clients from the MIDAS host.
#
# This script runs on the REMOTE HOST
#
echo "starting frontend for experiment $MIDAS_EXPT_NAME "
xterm -geometry 150x50+800+0 -fg white -bg blue -title "Frontend" -e  "$HOME/$ONLINE/fe32/frontend" &
echo "Frontend task has been started"
exit


Check it works by running it on the REMOTE host.
Then uncomment line in start_daq.sh, and check start_daq.sh can start all the clients from the MIDAS host.


== Customize MIDAS for your experiment ==
Here are some of the more common operations users can do to customize their experiments according to their own preferences:
=== create kill_daq script ===
Optionally create a script similar to start_daq.sh to shutdown the experiment
=== data logger ===
Set up the data logger [[mlogger]] to log data to a storage device. Many options are available - see [[Data Logging]], [[mlogger]] and
[[/Logger ODB tree]] for instructions.


== Customize the experiment ==
=== create edit-on-start parameters ===
=== data directory ===
See [[Edit-on-start Parameters]]
To change where data files are stored and the message file midas.log is located away from the default,
=== allow programs to be restarted from the [[Programs Page]] ===
create a data directory, e.g.
See mhttpd [[Programs Page]] and [[/Programs ODB tree]]
mkdir /data1/e777/; mkdir /data1/e777/data
=== set up the alarm system ===
[local:e777:S]/>ls /logger  ## list the contents of the /logger tree
See [[Alarm System]] and [[Alarm Page]]
Data dir                        /home/johnfoo/online/         
=== install hot-links as needed ===
Message file                    midas.log
See [[Event Notification (Hot-Link)]]
If desired, set the location for the midas.log and any data files, e.g.
=== suppress some of the menu buttons on the Status Page ===
[local:e777:S]/>set "/logger/data dir" /data1/e777/data/
See mhttpd [[Status Page#page_switch_buttons]]
[local:Default:S]/>exit

Revision as of 20:30, 22 December 2015


Installation

Log on to the host machine. This machine will host the MIDAS experiment, i.e. where the ODB and other shared memory buffers will reside. This will also be where the MIDAS and other packages will be installed, and will be called the MIDAS host (localhost). Decide on a name for the experiment (i.e. MIDAS experiment name).

In these instructions, the username is "johnfoo" and the MIDAS and other packages will be installed under $HOME/packages . The MIDAS experiment directory will be $HOME/online and the MIDAS experiment name will be "e777". The MIDAS host name will be "mhostpc" The user will substitute appropriate host name, username, MIDAS experiment name and directories for his/her own setup.

Experimental setup

These instructions describe setting up an experiment that will run ONLY on the MIDAS host computer (i.e. localhost only). In this case, the MIDAS host has access to any hardware required, and all frontends, logger, analyzer etc. run on the one computer.

Modifications to run an experiment with additional frontend(s) running remotely (i.e. on remote cpu(s)) will also be described below. Follow the instructions for setting up a localhost experiment until indicated.

In the case of remote frontend(s), the remote cpu(s) typically have access to some or all of the hardware. They might be VMIC cpus running in VME crates for example, connected to the MIDAS Host via Ethernet. They read data from the hardware and send it back to the MIDAS Host to be logged and analyzed.

In both cases, the main MIDAS applications (e.g. mlogger, mhttpd) run on the MIDAS host.

Environment Variables

The following Environment variables should to be added to the $HOME/.cshrc (or .bash) file depending on your shell so that they will then be defined at login. Substitute appropriate values for your own setup.

csh bash comment
setenv LANG C export LANG=C
setenv GIT_EDITOR "emacs -nw" export GIT_EDITOR="emacs -nw"
setenv MIDASSYS $HOME/packages/midas export MIDASSYS=$HOME/packages/midas Base directory of the MIDAS package
setenv ROOTSYS $HOME/packages/root export ROOTSYS=$HOME/packages/root setup ROOTSYS only if using ROOT
setenv MIDAS_EXPTAB $HOME/online/exptab export MIDAS_EXPTAB=$HOME/online/exptab MIDAS experiment table
setenv MIDAS_EXPT_NAME e777 export MIDAS_EXPT_NAME=e777 MIDAS experiment name
setenv PATH .:$MIDASSYS/linux/bin:$PATH export PATH=$PATH:$MIDASSYS/linux/bin path
setenv PATH .:$HOME/online/bin:$ROOTSYS/bin:$PATH export PATH=$PATH:$HOME/online/bin:$ROOTSYS/bin if using ROOT

Logout and login again, or source .cshrc (source .bashrc) for the changes to take effect.

ROOT Package Installation

For full MIDAS operation, ROOT is needed for the data logging and analysis packages. It needed to build the example analyzer in this Quickstart. However, ROOT is not essential to run MIDAS. If ROOT is NOT installed, the environment variable ROOTSYS should be undefined.

If ROOT is needed, see Install ROOT.

MIDAS Package Installation

Installed the MIDAS and other package(s) from the MIDAS git repository as follows:

   mkdir $HOME/packages
   cd $HOME/packages
   git clone https://bitbucket.org/tmidas/midas
   git clone https://bitbucket.org/tmidas/mxml

Install the MSCB package only if you will be using the MSCB (seeMSCB Page) system for slow-controls:

   git clone https://bitbucket.org/tmidas/mscb    ## MSCB package
   cd mscb
   make        ## Build the MSCB package
   cd ../

The MIDAS Makefile will auto-detect whether MSCB, ROOT, MYSQL, SQLITE, ODBC etc. are available (or have been installed). If you need these features, make sure they are available before building the MIDAS package.

   cd midas
   make          ## Build the MIDAS package
   ls -l linux/bin/odbedit      ### check that odbedit has been created (do not run it yet)

In case of problems see bitbucket is down or SSL certificate errors.


ROOTANA Package Installation

If ROOTANA is needed,

   cd $HOME/packages
   git clone https://bitbucket.org/tmidas/rootana
   cd rootana
   make

ROODY Package Installation

If ROODY is needed,

   cd $HOME/packages
   git clone https://bitbucket.org/tmidas/roody
   cd roody
   make
   

Create the Experiment file exptab

In this example, the experimental directory is $HOME/online.

mkdir $HOME/online
cd $HOME/online

Create the exptab file "$HOME/online/exptab" containing the three parameters

  1. the experiment name
  2. location of MIDAS shared memory buffers
  3. username

as follows (using parameters for your own experiment):

   cat > exptab
   e777 /home/johnfoo/online johnfoo

Create shared memory files

At this point you should be able to run odbedit on localhost. The first time odbedit is run, it will create the required .*.SHM files in the MIDAS experiment directory $HOME/online.

The default directory $HOME/online will contain the MIDAS messages file (midas.log) and any data files you may create. If you want an alternative location for the data files see #Customizing your experiment.

Now run odbedit, and type the command "ls" to list the default directories.

odbedit>
[local:e777:S]/>ls
Experiment
System
Programs
Logger
Runinfo
Alarms 

Run the MIDAS logger

Start the MIDAS logger mlogger

$mlogger 

This should start without error at this point. It is usually run as a daemon, however in this case it is run in a terminal to check for errors. Starting the midas logger mlogger will automatically create more keys in the /Logger ODB tree.


Run the MIDAS Web Server

If you are running behind a firewall or plan to set up an HTTPS/SSL proxy, follow the instructions mhttpd using an HTTPS/SSL proxy.

Otherwise, the MIDAS Web Server mhttpd with HTTPS/SSL (Mongoose) will be used. This is the default. Now start mhttpd like this:

$ mhttpd

You will get the following messages:

[mhttpd,INFO] ODB subtree /Runinfo corrected successfully
Mongoose web server will listen on ports "8080r,8443s"
Mongoose web server will use SSL certificate file "/home/johnfoo/packages/midas/ssl_cert.pem"
[mhttpd,ERROR] [mhttpd.cxx:17633:mongoose,ERROR] mongoose web server cannot find password file "/home/johnfoo/online/htpasswd.txt"
[mhttpd,ERROR] [mhttpd.cxx:17634:mongoose,ERROR] please create password file: htdigest -c /home/johnfoo/online/htpasswd.txt Default midas
could not start the mongoose web server, see messages and midas.log, bye!

For testing, use the SSL certificate file provided in the MIDAS package (unless your site provides one, or you wish to create your own SSL certificate.

However, you do need to create a password file by following the above instructions. You will be asked to type in a password

$htdigest -c /home/johnfoo/online/htpasswd.txt Default midas
Adding password for midas in realm Default.
New password:
Re-type new password:

Now restart mhttpd

$mhttpd
Mongoose web server will listen on ports "8080r,8443s" **see note
Mongoose web server will use SSL certificate file "/home/suz/packages/midas/ssl_cert.pem"
Mongoose web server will use authentication realm "Default", password file "./htpasswd.txt"

Now point a web browser running on the same host computer (localhost) to https://localhost:8443 If the web browser is running on a different computer, go to URL of the form

https://mhostpc.triumf.ca:8443  (substitute your host machine name and domain for "mhostpc.triumf.ca")

If you are using the default SSL certificate you will probably get a message: "This Connection is Untrusted". Click "I understand the risks" and add an exception. This is because the test certificate is self-signed. Then confirm an exception.

You should then see an authentication box asking you for the user name and password. The user name is "midas". Enter the password you just created. The Midas Status Page should appear with multiple buttons for run control as well as equipment listing (no equipments will be listed as yet) and application listings. Please refer to mhttpd (the MIDAS Web-based Run Control utility) for further information. You can start and stop runs from the main status page, and use the ODB Page to access the database (ODB).

    • Note
Default ports of 8080 and 8443 are used by mhttpd. If these ports are in use on your machine, start mhttpd with alternative ports, e.g.
      $mhttpd --https 8448 --http 8089
or see Mhttpd#Usage to change the default ports.


Clients run on Localhost only

NOTE
  • If creating a MIDAS experiment with a REMOTE frontend, continue by following the instructions #Running with one or more REMOTE frontend(s).
  • If all clients are running on localhost, continue with the following instructions:

frontend and analyzer

A frontend is a program that usually reads data from the hardware and sends the data to be logged and analyzed. You can find documentation about the frontend structure under Frontend Application, Frontend Operation and Frontend user code.

There are several examples of Frontend user code (frontend.c) in the MIDAS package available under $MIDASSYS/examples/. Choose a suitable example from this directory that you can later modify for your own particular setup (e.g. for a slow control, choose the slowcont/ example).

The example chosen here is from $MIDASSYS/examples/experiment/. It does not need any hardware and produces simulated events.

On the MIDAS host (localhost), copy the example to the experiment directory and build it.

     cd $HOME/online
     cp $MIDASSYS/examples/experiment/* .
     make

The analyzer will only build if ROOT has previously been installed. At this point the frontend and the analyzer should be ready if no errors were generated during the build. Try the frontend and analyzer by starting them in xterms.

$frontend

Starting the frontend will automatically create the /Equipment ODB tree and one or more equipments. In this case, the equipments "trigger" and "scaler" have been defined by code in frontend.c and created the first time frontend runs.

$odbedit
[local:e777:S]/>ls /equipment
Trigger                         
Scaler  

View the MIDAS main status web page (by pointing your browser to https://localhost:8443/ or appropriate port if not using the default). Observe on the Status Page that the two Equipments (Trigger, Scaler) have appeared in the Equipment section. Rather than using odbedit, you can view the contents of these equipments by clicking on the ODB button, then on /Equipment, then Trigger or Scaler. See ODB Page for more information.

Start a run by pressing the Start button on the Status Page.

The frontend will show an event display that will update when a run is started, e.g.

Sample Frontend connected to <local>. Press "!" to exit      18:48:2546:08
==========================================================================
Run status:   Running    Run number 2                                   |/   /
===========================================================================
Equipment     Status     Events     Events/sec Rate[B/s]  ODB->FE FE->OD
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trigger       OK         13948      99.0       5413.0     0          140         
  aler        OK         15         0.3         15.4      0          15    

The Status Page will also show events being generated (click the refresh button if necessary).

While a run is in progress, the midas application mdump will provide you an event dump of the collected data from the running frontend, e.g.

$ mdump -l 50

- MIDAS revision: Mon Nov 2 11:50:51 2015 -0800 - 3b66779 -- Enter <!> to Exit ------- Midas Dump ---


Event# 1 ------------------------

Evid:0001- Mask:0000- Serial:0- Time:0x567a0c5d- Dsize:40/0x28

  1. banks:2 - Bank list:-ADC0TDC0-

Bank:ADC0 Length: 8(I*1)/2(I*4)/4(Type) Type:Unsigned Integer*2

  1-> 0x0167 0x03c6 0x0069 0x0073 

Bank:TDC0 Length: 8(I*1)/2(I*4)/4(Type) Type:Unsigned Integer*2

  1-> 0x0051 0x00ff 0x004a 0x00ec 

For further data processing/analysis, either the midas analyzer or the rootana can used for data display as well.

Create a start_daq script

It is useful to create a script that will automatically start all the required clients for the experiment. This is called a start_daq script. Create $HOME/online/bin/start_daq.sh as follows, (supply the mhttpd ports if default is not used).

#!/bin/sh
# start_daq.sh
cd $HOME/online
odbedit -c clean
#   start mhttpd on default port. (Mongoose https version)
mhttpd  -D  # optionally restrict access to localhost and/or other specified hosts - see mhttpd
xterm -e ./frontend &
xterm -e ./analyzer &
mlogger -D
#end file

Before running this script, you will need to shutdown any running clients:

$odbedit -c "sh all"

or you can use the mhttpd Program Page to shut them down.

The script will start them as daemons. By running the script start_daq.sh, several midas applications will be started in sequence:

# Cleanup previous midas application (if any).
# Start the midas web server [mhttpd]
# Start the frontend application in its own xterm (for debugging purpose).
# Start the analyzer application in its own xterm (for debugging purpose).
# Start the Midas Data logger [mlogger]
  $ sh ./start_daq


Running with one or more REMOTE frontend(s)

These instructions assume you have already followed the instructions to setup an experiment running on localhost, i.e. you have setup the MIDAS Environment variables, downloaded MIDAS packages, setup the mhttpd password etc.

These instructions assume that there is one remote cpu, which is a 32-bit machine which mounts the /home disk of the localhost machine, so that it has access to the MIDAS packages, the $HOME/online directory and shares the .cshrc (or .bash) script. The REMOTE Host will be called "rlxhost" in these instructions.

If the MIDAS host computer (localhost) is 64-bit, and the frontend is 32-bit, you will need to build the 32-bit MIDAS libraries on the 64-bit machine, i.e.

   cd /home/packages/midas
   make linux32                ### build the 32-bit MIDAS libraries on 64-bit machine
   ls -l linux-m32/bin/odbedit ### check that the 32-bit odbedit has been created (do not run it)

Modify .cshrc (.bash)

Add the following to the .cshrc (modified appropriately for .bash). When running with a REMOTE Host, the application mserver will be started (using a particular port) on the MIDAS host machine only. Note that the environment variable MIDAS_SERVER_HOST is defined on the remote machine(s) but not on the MIDAS host.

# setenv MIDAS_HOST mhostpc   # substitute your midas host name
# setenv REMOTE_HOST rlxhost   # substitute your remote host name (add more if > 1)
# setup the MIDAS mserver host
#
switch (`hostname`)
case $MIDAS_HOST*:                
  unsetenv MIDAS_SERVER_HOST     ## MIDAS_SERVER_HOST not defined
  breaksw
default:
setenv MIDAS_SERVER_HOST $MIDAS_HOST.triumf.ca:1175  ## for remote host, define as hostname + domain name + default mserver port
                                                     ## port must match that of mserver used in start_daq.sh 
endsw
#
# select 64-bit or 32-bit MIDAS and ROOT
#
switch (`uname -i`)
case i386:
  setenv ROOTSYS /triumfcs/trshare/olchansk/root/root_v5.28.00_SL55_32
  setenv PATH .:$MIDASSYS/linux-m32/bin:$PATH
  breaksw
default:
  setenv ROOTSYS $HOME/packages/root
  setenv PATH .:$MIDASSYS/linux/bin:$PATH
endsw
#
setenv PATH .:$HOME/online/bin:$HOME/packages/roody/bin:$ROOTSYS/bin:$PATH
#

After executing .cshrc (or .bash) or logging out, on the MIDAS host (mhostpc) make sure MIDAS_SERVER_HOST is NOT defined

echo $MIDAS_SERVER_HOST
MIDAS_SERVER_HOST: Undefined variable.

and on the REMOTE Host, make sure MIDAS_SERVER_HOST IS defined:

 echo $MIDAS_SERVER_HOST
 MIDAS_SERVER_HOST

Also on the REMOTE Host, make sure that the correct (32-bit) odbedit will be used (do not run it yet!)

[johnfoo@rlxhost e777]$ which odbedit
/home/johnfoo/packages/midas/linux-m32/bin/odbedit

Grant REMOTE host access permission

Give permission for the remote host(s) to access the experiment. Follow the instructions |Allow MIDAS programs on remote machines. If the MIDAS web server is running, use ODB Page to edit the ODB keys listed, otherwise use odbedit on the MIDAS host machine.

Create experiment startup script

It is useful to create a script that will automatically start all the required clients for the experiment. This is called a start_daq script. Create $HOME/online/bin/start_daq.sh as follows, (supply the mhttpd ports if default is not used).

The application mserver is not required when running on localhost only, but it IS required for access from a REMOTE frontend.

#!/bin/sh
# start_daq.sh
cd $HOME/online
#
switch (`hostname`)
  case $MIDAS_HOST*:
     echo "Good, we are on $MIDAS_HOST"
     breaksw
  case $REMOTE_HOST*:
     echo "start_daq script should be executed on $MIDAS_HOST"
endsw
#
odbedit -c clean
#   start mhttpd on default port (Mongoose https version)
mhttpd  -D   # optionally restrict access to localhost and/or other specified hosts - see mhttpd
#   start mserver on default port (use argument -p to use a different port) 
mserver -D  # start mserver on default port (1175) or a different port using -p option - see mserver
            # the port must match that of MIDAS_SERVER_HOST in .cshrc (.bash) - see above
            # access must be specifically allowed - see above
xterm -e ./analyzer &
## start frontend on remote host
#ssh $REMOTE_HOST $HOME/online/bin/start_frontend -O >& $HOME/online/bin/start_frontend.log  &
mlogger -D
#end file

Note that command to start the frontend on the remote host is commented out. It can be uncommented once the start_frontend script is written and tested.

Shut down any clients that are running already by running odbedit on the MIDAS HOST

 odbedit>
[local:e777:S]/>sh all

Execute the new startup script start_daq.sh and check that odbedit now works on the REMOTE host

[johnfoo@rlxhost e777]$ odbedit
[mhostpc.triumf.ca:1177:e777:Stopped]/>ls

If it does not, check that

  • MIDAS_SERVER_HOST is setup correctly
  • mserver is running with the correct port
  • remote access permission to REMOTE host has been granted

See above for details.

Build the frontend

The frontend must be built on the REMOTE Host (because it is a 32-bit machine in this example). To avoid confusion, on the REMOTE host create a different subdirectory for the frontend running on the remote host, e.g.

  mkdir $HOME/online/frontend

Copy an example frontend and Makefile (from $MIDASSYS/examples/) to this directory and modify for your hardware as needed. The example Frontend.c is an example of Frontend user code. Use the modified Makefile to compile and build a frontend client with the 32-bit MIDAS libraries. You can find documentation about the frontend structure under Frontend Application, Frontend Operation and Frontend user code.

Copy the example analyser to $HOME/online on the MIDAS host and build it.

Once built, start the frontend by hand (while logged on to the REMOTE host). Check that it connects successfully to the experiment (e.g. with mhttpd Status Page).

Create start_frontend script

The startup file start_daq.sh invoked a file start_frontend to start the remote frontend. This line was commented out (see above). Now that the frontend is working, create start_frontend script (e.g. file $HOME/online/bin/start_frontend).

#!/bin/tcsh
# Script to start frontend running on $REMOTE_HOST
#
# This script runs on the REMOTE HOST
#
echo "starting frontend for experiment $MIDAS_EXPT_NAME "
xterm -geometry 150x50+800+0 -fg white -bg blue -title "Frontend" -e  "$HOME/$ONLINE/fe32/frontend" &
echo "Frontend task has been started"
exit

Check that this script works by running it on the REMOTE host. Then uncomment line in start_daq.sh, and check that start_daq.sh can start all the clients from the MIDAS host.


Customize MIDAS for your experiment

Here are some of the more common operations users can do to customize their experiments according to their own preferences:

create kill_daq script

Optionally create a script similar to start_daq.sh to shutdown the experiment

data logger

Set up the data logger mlogger to log data to a storage device. Many options are available - see Data Logging, mlogger and /Logger ODB tree for instructions.

create edit-on-start parameters

See Edit-on-start Parameters

allow programs to be restarted from the Programs Page

See mhttpd Programs Page and /Programs ODB tree

set up the alarm system

See Alarm System and Alarm Page

install hot-links as needed

See Event Notification (Hot-Link)

suppress some of the menu buttons on the Status Page

See mhttpd Status Page#page_switch_buttons