SRCP - Secure Research Computing Platform

Owned by Simon Clary
Last updated: May 20, 2024
7 min read

 

What is the SRCP?

The SRCP is an ISO 27001 certified trusted research environment, designed to meet the needs of researchers who work with sensitive or confidential data. SRCP provides a secure, isolated, and controlled environment for data storage, processing, and analysis; that adheres to the highest standards of data privacy and security.  More details can be found athttps://www.hpc.cam.ac.uk/secure-research-computing.

You can watch a recording of a webinar on the SRCP in Microsoft Stream (approx 1hr, log in with your University account). This explains: 

  • what the service is 

  • what functionality will be available 

  • the key differences between SRCP and SDHS 

  • several preparatory steps that you will need to complete before accessing the service. 

The SRCP is the replacement for the SDHS and data has been migrated over.

Where to get support?

The platform is run and managed by the High Performance Computing (HPC) department of the UIS. The HPC helpdesk email address is support@hpc.cam.ac.uk

The official guides and documentation can be found at https://docs.hpc.cam.ac.uk/srcp/ (if you click on any of their guides and it says you don’t have access there should be a button to request access on the Sharepoint page, then HPC will grant your access).

CSCS no longer manage or access the data; so we are unable to create studies, grant permissions or view the status of studies. Please direct any questions around these areas, to the HPC helpdesk directly.

To get help on how to apply for access, and to help with problems logging in; please read the guide below and the HPC guide linked above. If you still need help contact, our (CSCS’s) Service desk on 01223 336261 or email cscsservicedesk@medschl.cam.ac.uk

How to apply for access

If you previously had access to a SDHS study, your access should have been transferred over to the SRCP.

If you need to apply for access, the guidance is here https://docs.hpc.cam.ac.uk/srcp/user-onboarding/index.html. The direct form for a Data Manager to use to apply for access is https://www.hpc.cam.ac.uk/srcp-request-user-access

Requirements for accessing the SRCP

How to log in

From a Windows Search or the application list open the Citrix Workspace App, which should bring up a page with a Welcome to Citrix Workspace and a input field with the text “Enter your Store URL or email address”

image-20240509-132129.png

In the input field for Windows add the address: windows.srcp.hpc.cam.ac.uk, Apple Mac add the address anywhere.cam.ac.uk and click Continue

image-20240509-141654.png

This will open up a University of Cambridge login page within the Citrix App. You log in using your standard University/Raven login crsid@cam.ac.uk (use @cam rather than @medschl for the sign in) and password.

This will then prompt a Multi Factor authentication on your phone or Authenticator App.

After adding your 2 factor authentication, Citrix may request additional permission, click Allow.

You should then see a desktop icon within a University of Cambridge site; which you can then click on, to access the SCRP desktop platform

You can also log in via a Browser extension using the same method, downloaded from https://docs.citrix.com/en-us/citrix-workspace-app/workspace-web-extensions.html for Chrome, Edge and Safari.

Logging in the Data Transfer Portal

Site address https://transfer.srcp.hpc.cam.ac.uk/login

Requires setting up an additional Multi Factor Authentication separate from the main University one when logging in, which will be prompted to set up on first login. A QR code is presented to scan with the Authenticator app then add the 6 digit number generated to proceed.

Troubleshooting access problems

Problem - Citrix doesn’t load the “Welcome to Citrix Workspace” page and there is nowhere to add the SRCP address windows.srcp.hpc.cam.ac.uk

Troubleshooting steps - Down at the bottom right, click on the upward pointing chevron ( ^ ) to see your open apps; and locate the round blue Citrix Workspace icon

Right Click the icon and select Troubleshooting > Reset App data

If that doesn’t resolve the issue try uninstall Citrix from the Control Panel and install the latest version from https://www.citrix.com/downloads/workspace-app/.

 

Problem - The Citrix site doesn’t accept my username and password

Troubleshooting steps - Try to log into https://www.office.com/. If you can’t log in, ensure you are using crsid@cam.ac.uk as your username and Raven password (don’t use @medschl alias). If you no longer know your University password you can reset at https://help.uis.cam.ac.uk/service/accounts-passwords/password-reset if you haven’t yet set up your RAVEN self service password recovery option, please contact the CSCS Service Desk.

 

Problem - I am unable to get through the Multi Factor Authentication steps

Troubleshooting steps - If new to the University, make sure you have initially set up your 2 factor authentication following https://help.uis.cam.ac.uk/service/accounts-passwords/setting-multi-factor-authentication. If you have previously set it up and no longer have access to the Authenticator App or phone you used to set it up, you would need to contact the UIS Service Desk https://www.uis.cam.ac.uk/. MFA is a UIS system and as such, we in CSCS do not have access to it.

Problem - When I go through the login steps, I get to the University page where there should be a Desktop Icon. But instead it says “Your home looks empty”

Troubleshooting steps - That means you don’t currently have access to any study; so you need to contact your Data Manager, and ask them to apply for your access.

SRCP Windows Desktop Restrictions

  • The only location to access and store data is the X drive (X\SRCP) , each study will have its own folder within the X drive

  • Roaming profile only stores Desktop and App preferences

  • Screen lock after 15 minutes, Disconnected sessions logged out after 6 hours of inactivity, idle sessions logged out after 8 hours of inactivity

  • Autosave is disabled and caching restricted to 1 day

  • Disconnected and isle session log out will result in loss of data if not manually saved beforehand

  • Edge and Chrome only available browsers, only approved sites have been allowed which can be found in the favourites

  • Only Word, Excel and Access available. Browsing is restricted to the X drive

  • Registry, CMD and PowerShell are disabled

User Permission Types

  • Data Managers - have read write access to all Data - the only role that can move data from the import area for processing - The only role that can export data - Have full control to grant/deny access (This role is the gatekeeper, setting up the top level directory structure and controlling what data can be imported/exported

  • Users - Can access Desktop and read/write to directories based on permissions set by Data Managers - Can upload data via the transfer server, but cannot access on the Desktop until its moved in by the Data Manager

  • Importers - Can upload data via transfer server

  • Exporters - Can download data from the transfer server after a Data Manager has moved it to the Export area

Project and user/access group naming

  • Each project has a unique 11 character code/identifier, this is used in the project name shown to user in the platform and in the name of each Active Directory group associated with the project. Eg:

  • The 11 character identifier is what should be used when raising support calls, please see the below list if you have the SDHS study number but don’t know the new study code or project ID

SDHS study number replaced with new SRCP project ID - list

  • Each SRCP project has a 11 character code/identifier, if you don’t know what that is when raising tickets with the HPC helpdesk but do know the old SDHS study number the list attached below should help you identify the new project ID

Services not currently available as of 03/05/24

  • Printing

  • SQL databases and servers

  • External collaborators

All are being worked on and are expected to be added in the near future