How To Use the File Transfer System in the Enclave Windows VDI

The file transfer feature allows for the transfer of both in-bound and out-bound files and is best suited for transferring files to and from your local computer drive.

  • In-bound: Files uploaded from the laptop, PC, or tablet to the Enclave VDI
  • Out-bound: Files downloaded from the Enclave VDI to external locations (endpoint device)

Feature Notes

  • All end users can upload files from their endpoint devices to the Enclave VDI.
  • Downloading files is restricted and only the project's principal investigator (PI), Project Lead (PL) or the PI’s designee can move files out of the Enclave platform i.e. download files or documents.
  • This file transfer system supports many file types.
  • You can download an individual file of up to 500 MB or several files (not folders) with a cumulative size of up to 500 MB per load. You can upload an individual file of up to 2 GB or several files (not folders) with a cumulative size of up to 2 GB per load.

Prerequisites 

  • Access to the Mass General Brigham Analytics Enclave , "Enclave", is granted upon completion and submission of the Access Request form and review by the Digital Research Data Solutions Team.
  • Ensure that you have the Mass General Brigham (MGB) credentials (username and password) before trying to connect to the Enclave.
  • Ensure that you have established a MGB VPN connection. Review the ServiceNow article on HOWTO: Connect to VPN.

Supported Web Browsers 

For best experience, use the latest versions of the supported browsers:

  • Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome browser 
  • Safari on iOS, and Safari 8, do not support file upload.

Please take note of the following: You will receive an error message when...

  • You attempt to upload a file with an unsupported browser
  • You attempt to upload a file with Chrome on a Chromebook
  • If you attempt to upload files zero size or files that are larger than 2 GB
  • If you attempt to download files or folders of zero size or larger than 500 MB

Uploading files to the Enclave VDI

This section applies to all end users. For best experience, use the recommended supported browsers.

  1. Open Google Chrome (or supported browser) > Go to https://my.analyticsenclave.org/ > Select VMware Horizon HTML Access

  1. Enter your Mass General Brigham Network Credentials (Username and Password)

  1. Click Login

  1. Upon successful completion of the steps above, you will see icon(s) labeled with the short version of your project name. One icon per project.
    • When you hover the cursor over the icon you see the full label if the project name is lengthy.

  1. Click on the specific project icon to launch the corresponding VDI on your endpoint device. It may take about 15 seconds to connect.

    1. Your connection is successful when you land on the desktop as shown below.

    1. The drives available to you are shown below.

Single User Project: Any Enclave Project with a single user does not have the Project Shared Drive (P: Drive)

  1. Click the File Transfer icon at the top of the sidebar. If you hover over the icon, you will see “Open File Transfer panel”

  1. The Transfer Files window will appear. To upload files into the 'Transfer Files' window:

    • Drag and drop the files into the Upload tab
    • or, Click Choose Files > Select the files you want to upload

  1. In this example, the files are selected from the SAS-FILES-HL folder on a local computer desktop.

  1. Select the specific files that you want to upload.
  • The cumulative file size per load should not exceed 2 GB and individual files size up to 2 GB is supported.

  1. The progress of the file transfer will be tracked at the top of the tab.

    1. If you click on the icon Ä at the top right corner, the upload will still progress.
    2. Windows PC Users: If you click on icon to the right of the file name, the transfer of the corresponding file will be terminated.

  1. When the file transfer is completed, the uploaded files will be saved in the Documents folder the VDI.

  1. Remember to log out of the desktop upon completion of your routine work. 

Downloading files from the Enclave VDI

This section applies to Principal Investigators, Project Leads, and their Designees only.

Use the VMware Horizon Client to download files from the Enclave environment.

Ensure that local drive sharing is enabled.

  1. Launch VMware Horizon Client
  2. Enter your Mass General Brigham Network Credentials (Username and Password)
  3. Click Login

  1. Upon successful completion of the step above, you will see icon(s) labeled with the short version of your project name. One icon per project.

    • When you hover the cursor over the icon you see the full label if the project name is lengthy.

  1. Go to This PC. You will see the Drive (Z) which maps to the local Disk (C) of your endpoint device.

  1. Select the files that you want to download from the VDI and move them to the local Disk (C) of your endpoint device.
    • The cumulative file size per load should not exceed 500 MB and individual files size up to 500 MB is supported.

  1. Similarly, select the files that you want to upload from your endpoint device to the VDI. The cumulative file size per load should not exceed 2 GB and individual files size up to 2 GB is supported.
  2. Remember to log out of the desktop upon completion of your routine work.

Limitations of the File Transfer System

  • You can download files up to 500 MB and upload files up to 2 GB.
  • You cannot download or upload folders or files that have a size of zero.
  • If a file transfer is in progress in a remote session and you open a connection to a second remote session, and if a security warning will appear. If you ignore the warning and continue to connect to the second remote session, the file transfer in the first session will be terminated.
  • You cannot use this feature with Linux remote desktops or Android devices.

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If further assistance is needed, please submit a ticket through the Digital Service Hub or call the Digital Service Desk to have a ticket opened with the Enclave Platform - MGB team.

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HOWTO: Get Started With the Analytics Enclave

HOWTO: Connect to the COVID-19 Databases in Enclave

HOWTO: Save or Move Files in the Enclave Virtual Desktop


Go to KB0014875 in the IS Service Desk

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