NIRC2 VNC Startup Procedure

Background

This document describes the steps involved in bringing up the NIRC2 software in a VNC environment to be shared with a team of observers at a mainland site. The Waimea steps are meant to be performed by a support astronomer.

Procedures for Waimea Personnel

Log in. Log into hanauma and kealoha using assigned NIRC2 numbered account (nircNN).

Check VNC servers. In a xterm@k2vncserver window, type the following command to check the status of VNC servers:

	kvncstatus

If the servers are running, this should return a list showing 4 servers:

	# Display    Desktop                  User         PID          
	# -------    -------                  ----         ---          
	:1           nirc2-nirc6-control0     nirc6        3322         
	:2           nirc2-nirc6-control1     nirc6        3341         
	:3           nirc2-nirc6-control2     nirc6        3367         
	:4           nirc2-nirc6-telstatus    nirc6        3402

If no servers are listed, then restart the servers using the command:

	kvnc start servers

and repeat the kvncstatus command to verify that 4 servers are running.

Launch instrument VNC viewers. In the xterm@k2vncserver window, type the following command:
```
	kvnc start viewers primary
```
This should cause an xterm window to appear on all 3 screens of hanauma, prompting for a password. Type the standard VNC password into each of the xterm windows. You should then get a VNC window on each screen on hanauma:
- hanauma:0 should show a TRUECOLOR workspace with a red background called nirc2-nircNN-control0.
- hanauma:1 should show a TRUECOLOR workspace with a red background called nirc2-nircNN-control1.
- hanauma:2 should show a PSEUDOCOLOR workspace with a tan background called nirc2-nircNN-control2.
Launch instrument applications.
- In the control0 workspace:
  - Bring up 2 waikoko xterm windows from pulldown menu.
  - Launch NIRC2 Status from pulldown menu via:
```
	NIRC2 Control > Interface Subcomponents > NIRC2 Status
```
- In the control1 workspace, do nothing (mainland observers will start software later at this step). Simply iconify this display to prevent the Keck observers from interfering with analysis by the mainland observers.
- In the control2 workspace:
  - Launch guider eavesdrop:
```
	Guider eavesdropping > Start eavesdrop
```
  - Launch TSS widget via:
```
	AO Tools > TSS Widget
```
Launch telescope VNC viewer. On kealoha Type the following in the xterm@k2vncserver window to start the VNC viewer:
```
	kvnc start viewers secondary
```
An xterm window will appear, prompting for a password. Type the standard VNC password into the xterm window. You should then get a VNC window in PSEUDOCOLOR mode (tan background) called nirc2-nircNN-telstatus .
Launch telescope applications. Launch tools using the background menu:
- Launch FACSUM window via:
```
	K2 telescope status > FACSUM
```
- Launch Xmet via:
```
	K2 telescope status > Xmet
```
- Launch laser windget via:
```
	AO Tools > LUI
```

At this point, all should be set up properly and mainland observing team can connect using their scripts.

Procedures for Mainland Personnel

Establish video link. Open polycom connection to Keck II remote ops via 128.171.101.16. Note: the spare Polycom unit in Keck II remote ops is currently in a strange state such that remote observers can connect with it only as a third party; hence, it is necessary to establish a connection from another Polycom unit (e.g., conference room) to the unit in Remote Ops II prior to having the mainland team connect.
Launch VNC control viewers. On the three-headed workstation called alphard.astro.ucla.edu:
- Log in using the remote observing account.
- Complete Keck firewall authentication procedure.
- Start VNC viewers using the command:
```
	kvncinst nirc2 nirc8
```
Launch VNC control viewers. On the single-headed workstation called struve.astro.ucla.edu:
- Log in using the remote observing account.
- Complete Keck firewall authentication procedure.
- Start VNC viewers using the command:
```
	kvnctel nirc2 nirc8
```

Launch quicklook tools. In the control1 workspace:

Launch Quicklook from pulldown menu via:

	NIRC2 Control > Interface Subcomponents > Start Quicklook

Launch instrument compass roses via:

	K2 telescope status > Compass roses > Instrument compass roses

Background

Procedures for Waimea Personnel

Procedures for Mainland Personnel

See Also