Transfer data update

pages/merlin6/02 accessing-merlin6/transfer-data.md

@@ -41,12 +41,24 @@ local computer and merlin.
 
 Two servers are enabled for exporting data from Merlin to outside PSI. 
 These Remote Access Merlin servers are the following:
-* **'ra-merlin-01.psi.ch'**
+* **'ra-merlin-01.psi.ch'**: normal password authentication with PSI password
-* **'ra-merlin-02.psi.ch'**
+   * `/data/user` mounted in RO (read-only)
+   * `/export` directory in RW (read-write). `/export` is also visible from login nodes.
+* **'ra-merlin-02.psi.ch'**: ***Two factor authentication*** (2FA), required **RSA SecurID** token (same as VPN)
+   * `/data/project` directories mounted in RW on demand. Project responsibles must request it.
+   * `/data/user` mounted in RO (read-only)
+   * `/export` directory in RW (read-write). `/export` is also visible from login nodes.
 
-Due to security reasons, currently only ``/data/user`` directories are exported in Read-Only mode.
+In the future, **'ra-merlin-01.psi.ch'** will be also configured with 2FA and will mount the same 
-This policy will change in the future but in the meantime we allow users to export their files
+as **'ra-merlin-02.psi.ch'**. In the meantime, we keep **'ra-merlin-01.psi.ch'** with standard authentication 
-in an easy way.
+until we can ensure that most of the Merlin users have a RSA SecurID token or until PSI security policy makes
+its use mandatory.
+
+### Directories
+
+#### /data/user
+
+User data directories are mounted in RO on both servers. Mounting it in RW is under evaluation. 
 
 {{site.data.alerts.warning}}Please, <b>ensure proper secured permissions</b> in your '/data/user' 
 directory. By default, when directory is created, the system applies the most restrictive 
@@ -54,9 +66,36 @@ permissions. However, this does not prevent users for changing permissions if th
 point, users become responsible of those changes.
 {{site.data.alerts.end}}
 
-Transferring big amounts of data from outside PSI to Merlin is not possible yet, unless
+#### /export
-this is done from PSI (i.e. transferring files from CSCS to Merlin is possible by using
+
-`scp` / `rsync` commands from the Merlin6 login nodes).
+Transferring big amounts of data from outside PSI to Merlin is always possible through `/export`.
+
+{{site.data.alerts.tip}}<b>The '/export' directory can be used by any Merlin user.</b>
+This is configured in Read/Write mode. If you need access, please, contact the Merlin administrators.
+{{site.data.alerts.end}}
+
+##### Exporting data from Merlin
+
+For exporting data from Merlin to outside PSI by using `/export`, one has to:
+   * From a Merlin login node, copy your data from any directory (i.e. `/data/project`, `/data/user`, `/scratch`) to
+`/export`. Ensure to properly secure your directories and files with proper permissions.
+   * Once data is copied, from **ra-merlin-01.psi.ch** or **ra-merlin-02.psi.ch**, copy the data from `/export` to outside PSI.
+
+##### Importing data to Merlin
+
+For importing data from outside PSI to Merlin by using `/export`, one has to:
+   * From **ra-merlin-01.psi.ch** or **ra-merlin-02.psi.ch**, copy the data from outside PSI to `/export`.
+Ensure to properly secure your directories and files with proper permissions.
+   * Once data is copied, from a Merlin login node, copy your data from `/export` to any directory (i.e. `/data/project`, `/data/user`, `/scratch`). 
+
+#### /data/project
+
+Optionally, instead of using `/export`, experiments with a Merlin project can request Read/Write or Read/Only access to their project directory.
+
+{{site.data.alerts.tip}}<b>Merlin projects can request direct access on 'ra-merlin-02.psi.ch'</b>
+This can be configured in Read/Write or Read/Only modes. If your project needs access, please,
+contact the Merlin administrators.
+{{site.data.alerts.end}}
 
 ### Accepted protocols
 
@@ -65,13 +104,15 @@ Accepted protocols for Remote Access Merlin servers are the following:
 * **ssh**: **`scp`** command (as well as **WinSCP** and similar programs) or **`rsync`** command
 * **~~Globus Online~~**: ***not available yet.***
 
-### About Remote Access Servers
+### Remote Access Servers Policies
 
 SSH is one of the allowed protocols. 
 * Please, **absolutely never** use this servers as a login node.
 * Please avoid copying files to the *home* directories. 
+* Please **never use SSH Keys** for accessing these servers. Accessing through SSH keys will be denied in the upcomig months.
 
-Only ``/data/user`` should be used on these nodes, and exclusively for transferring data to outside PSI.
+Only ``/data/user`, `/data/project` and `/export` directories should be used on these nodes, 
+and exclusively for transferring data from/to PSI to/from outside PSI.
 
 ## Connecting to Merlin6 from outside PSI