Step 7 - Register for ECMWF web user ID

In order to be able to access S2S database on ECMWF, you need an ECMWF web user ID. Register for an account using the link below if you have not got an account yet.

https://apps.ecmwf.int/registration/

Note that it will take a while for the system to send an acknowledgement email, so it is highly recommended that you register for an account a few days before the workshop.

Step 8 - Retrieve the ecmwfapirc key

The key is needed so ECMWF S2S database server can recognise you when you attempt to download data from it through your Python codes and allow download of data to proceed.

a. Once you have received a confirmation email from the system, log in to your account at the following address.

https://apps.ecmwf.int/auth/login/

b. Once you have logged in, retrieve your key from:

https://api.ecmwf.int/v1/key/

Step 9 - Save the ecmwfapirc key

Perform this step only after you have imported your pre-configured VM/appliance into the VirtualBox successfully. Refer to Steps 1 and 2.

a. Copy the information that looks like the following (yours will look different) into your home directory in a newly created file $HOME/.ecmwfapirc. Remember to name the file with a '.' before the filename, which is a hidden file.

{
"url" : "https://api.ecmwf.int/v1",
"key" : "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX",
"email" : "[email protected]"
}

Start by going to the Menu then File Manager.

b. Right-click on File Manager window for the context menu, select New then Blank file.

c. Type in .ecmwfapirc while not forgetting the . before the file name and click Create.

d. If you cannot see the file you have just saved, right-click the File Manager window, and select Display then Show hidden.

e. Click on the .ecmwfapirc file to edit it with the default text editor.

f. Copy your key from https://api.ecmwf.int/v1/key/ onto the file (yours will look different from the example below), and save it.

Step 10 - The final steps

a. Test your set up by opening up a terminal, and then type python mars/test_ecwmf.py. If there are no errors reported, congratulations you are good to go!

b. One final (final) step: on the same terminal, go to the shared folder (created in previous steps) by typing cd /media/sf_XXXX (replace XXXX with the name of your shared folder).

c. Next type git clone https://github.com/S2S-SEA/workshop1.git. This will download the python scripts required for the practical sessions.