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Transfer Input Files Up To 100MB In Size

Overview

Due to the distributed configuration of the OSG, more often than not, your jobs will need to bring along a copy (i.e. transfer a copy) of data, code, packages, software, etc. from the login node where the job is submitted to the execute node where the job will run. This requirement applies to any and all files that are needed to successfully execute and complete your job that do not otherwise exist on OSG execute servers.

This guide will describe steps and important considerations for transferring input files that are <100MB in size via the HTCondor submit file.

Important Considerations

As described in the Introduction to Data Management on OSG Connect any data, files, or even software that is <100MB should be staged in your /home directory on your login node. Files in your /home directory can be transferred to jobs via your HTCondor submit file.

Transfer Files From /home Using HTCondor

To transfer files from your /home directory use the transfer_input_files statement in your HTCondor submit file. For example:

# submit file example

log = my_job.$(Cluster).$(Process).log
error = my_job.$(Cluster).$(Process).err
output = my_job.$(Cluster).$(Process).out

# transfer small file from /home 
transfer_input_files = my_data.csv

...other submit file details...

Multiple files can be specified using a comma-separated list, for example:

# transfer multiple files from /home
transfer_input_files = my_data.csv, my_software.tar.gz, my_script.py

When using transfer_input_files to transfer files located in /home, keep in mind that the path to the file is relative to the location of the submit file. If you have files located in a different /home subdirectory, we recommend specifying the full path to those files, which is also a matter of good practice, for example:

transfer_input_files = /home/username/path/to/my_software.tar.gz

Where username refers to your OSG Connect username.

Get Help

For assistance or questions, please email the OSG Research Facilitation team at support@osg-htc.org or visit the help desk and community forums.