CoESRA V 4.0 Release

Goals

• The goal of the project is to develop, deliver and manage scalable virtual desktop environment accessible via web browser as part of EcoCloud compute platform,
• The virtual desktop should have access to data platform and shared storage infrastructure for seamless access to different storage capabilities,
• Enable computational researchers to share their data and analysis pipeline with others,
• Interoperate with other compute platforms like RStudio and Jupyter notebook environment. 

Background and strategic fit

Release Date: 16 Oct 2018 

Version: V 4.0

Release details

New Features:

• Added support of login using Google account.
• New tools added to Virtual Desktop, including Biodiverse, MacroecoDesktop.
• Added 'TERN Data Store' to virtual desktop allowing user access TERN data.
• Added 'System' tab to display current CoESRA cluster stats.
• 'Usage History' shows the last 5 jobs submitted by the current logged in user.
• Implemented Keycloak to manage backend authentications. 
• Upload/download files between virtual desktop and host computer.
• New 'CoESRA Help' on virtual desktop.
• Added 'partners' page to 'About' menu.
• User communication plan using Mailchimp is successfully implemented.

Features implemented but hidden until ecocloud clientId is received.

• Launch jupyter and R server from CoESRA.
• Single sign on between CoESRA and Ecocloud.

Fixes:

• Fixed operating system name to remove '.img' suffix.
• Fixed desktop launcher icon image.

Improvements:

• Improved the backend registration process. Eliminated the registration form. New user will be automatically registered within 5mins after logging in.
• Improved backend web services. All services are based on keycloak now.
• Improved the 'dashboard' UI.
• Updated FAQ, Policy and Services page to align with the new version.
• Redesigned the desktop image for virtual desktop.
• Upgraded firefox and owncloud client versions in the virtual desktop to the latest.
• Removed EcoStore from virtual desktop.