---
title: Using merlin_rmount
#tags:
keywords: >-
    transferring data, data transfer, rsync, dav, webdav, sftp, ftp, smb, cifs,
    copy data, copying, mount, file, folder, sharing
last_updated: 24 August 2023
#summary: ""
sidebar: merlin7_sidebar
permalink: /merlin7/merlin-rmount.html
---

## Background

Merlin provides a command for mounting remote file systems, called `merlin_rmount`. This
provides a helpful wrapper over the Gnome storage utilities (GIO and GVFS), and provides support for a wide range of remote file formats, including
- SMB/CIFS (Windows shared folders)
- WebDav
- AFP
- FTP, SFTP
- [complete list](https://access.redhat.com/documentation/en-us/red_hat_enterprise_linux/8/html/using_the_desktop_environment_in_rhel_8/managing-storage-volumes-in-gnome_using-the-desktop-environment-in-rhel-8#gvfs-back-ends_managing-storage-volumes-in-gnome)


## Usage


### Start a session

First, start a new session. This will start a new bash  shell in the current terminal where you can add further commands.

```
$ merlin_rmount --init
[INFO] Starting new D-Bus RMOUNT session

(RMOUNT STARTED) [bliven_s@login002 ~]$
```

Note that behind the  scenes this is creating a new dbus daemon. Running multiple daemons on the same login node leads to unpredictable results, so it is best not to initialize multiple sessions in parallel.

### Standard Endpoints

Standard endpoints can be mounted using

```
merlin_rmount --select-mount
```

Select the desired url using the arrow keys.

![merlin_rmount --select-mount](/images/rmount/select-mount.png)
 
From this list any of the standard supported endpoints can be mounted.

### Other endpoints

Other endpoints can be mounted using the `merlin_rmount --mount <endpoint>` command.

![merlin_rmount --mount](/images/rmount/mount.png)


### Accessing Files

After mounting a volume the script will print the mountpoint. It should be of the form

```
/run/user/$UID/gvfs/<endpoint>
```

where `$UID` gives your unix user id (a 5-digit number, also viewable with `id -u`) and
`<endpoint>` is some string generated from the mount options.

For convenience, it may be useful to add a symbolic link for this gvfs directory. For instance, this would allow all volumes to be accessed in ~/mnt/:

```
ln -s ~/mnt /run/user/$UID/gvfs
```

Files are accessible as long as the `merlin_rmount` shell remains open.


### Disconnecting

To disconnect, close the session with one of the following:

- The exit command
- CTRL-D
- Closing the terminal

Disconnecting will unmount all volumes.


## Alternatives

### Thunar

Users that prefer a GUI file browser may prefer the `thunar` command, which opens the Gnome File Browser. This is also available in NoMachine sessions in the bottom bar (1). Thunar supports the same remote filesystems as `merlin_rmount`; just type the URL in the address bar (2).

![Mounting with thunar](/images/rmount/thunar_mount.png)

When using thunar within a NoMachine session, file transfers continue after closing NoMachine (as long as the NoMachine session stays active).

Files can also be accessed at the command line as needed (see 'Accessing Files' above).

## Resources

- [BIO docs](https://intranet.psi.ch/en/bio/webdav-data) on using these tools for
  transfering EM data
- [Redhad docs on GVFS](https://access.redhat.com/documentation/en-us/red_hat_enterprise_linux/8/html/using_the_desktop_environment_in_rhel_8/managing-storage-volumes-in-gnome_using-the-desktop-environment-in-rhel-8)
- [gio reference](https://developer-old.gnome.org/gio/stable/gio.html)