Useful software package to install

• MATLAB: information on how to run MATLAB on ISN server can be found here including instruction on how to install MATLAB on a laptop with a university network licence.
• R / RStudio
• Python (e.g. through Anaconda)
• Coding editor of your choice (e.g. PyCharms, Visual Studio Code, Atom)
• Git / GitHub / Datalad
• Reference Manager (e.g. Mendeley, Zotero). I prefer Paperpile because it integrates well with Google Docs
• MS Office: ISN will supply you with a license. Please ask Peter Kammer.
• VNC Client: VNC (Virtual Network Client) is used to work on ISN servers from within the institute and also remotely. A good client for Macs is RealVNC. Setting up a connection to the ISN servers is described below
• SFTP client for connection to the special "neuronas" server (gateway to the behavioral labs) (see below). A good client for Macs is Forklift, which is actually a full-fledged, two-pane file browser
• Big-IP Edge VPN Client: this client is necessary for accessing the UKE servers (e.g. intranet) remotely. It requires a 2-factor authentication (2FA) via the Fortitoken App on your smartphone. (see below). For installing of this VPN Client, please go to WISVPN and login with your One-time Password (OTPW) via the Fortitoken App. Please use the Firefox Browser (not Chrome) as some of the pages refresh too frequently on Chrome before you can enter to credentials.
• Cisco AnyConnect Client: necessary for opening an VPN connection to the UHH servers (e.g. RRZ - Regionales Rechenzentrum - the IT Dept of UHH). Requires a "UHH Mitarbeiterkennung" (b******), which can be applied for here, but it requires a signature (and email forwarding) by Christian Büchel). This UHH login enables you to use the UHH Cloud and install some of their software packages found here

Working on an ISN server

To connect to a server from within the institute using VNC, you need to configure a new connection using the format "server name:display port", where the displayport is your user id on the ISN server plus 5900. To calculate the individual displayport, please "ssh" to our server "dendrite" (ssh dendrite) on a terminal, and the type echo $(($UID + 5900)) on the prompt. In your VNC client configuration, configure the connection as "dendrite:displayport". where displayport is the result of the terminal command above.

Working on an ISN server remotely

The institute does not provide a real VPN connection (due to restriction from UKE IT Dept). Rather, you can connect with a VNC client remotely and you only get the same window on the server as if you were working from within the institute. Connections involve a special USB key and authenticating twice to get access. Instructions on how to setup a remote connection to ISN servers can be found here.

Using the behavioral labs

The computer in the behavioral labs are all kept identical in terms of hardware and settings (and also mostly in terms of software). To achieve this, they are isolated in a special subnet that is only accessible via the gateways server "neuronas". In order to copy experimental files (e.g. PTB) onto the computers in the behavioral labs for running experiments. You first have to copy them onto the "neuronas" server. On Mac/Linux you can either use the command sftp or open a connection to neuronas in your sftp client (e.g. ForkLift). Then, in the behavioral labs, you can use the SFTP client (usually located on the Windows Desktop) to copy your files from neuronas to the local computer for running the experiment.

Cloud storage

UKE offers a limited cloud storage (a few GBs) at the UKE Box. You are allowed to store (anonymized) data here and you can send download links to files to other people. However, all files MUST NOT contains identifying information. ISN uses the UKE box (among other things) to send MR consent questionnaires to MR physicians prior to the interview (before actually going into the scanner).

The URLs of Dropbox (and other US-based) cloud providers are blocked, so you cannot access them through their website. However, the clinet apps that integrate with your file browser do not seem to be blocked (yet).