Moss Landing Marine Labs - Marine Operations

Moss Landing Marine Labs
Technical Services

 

II. Research Equipment, Instrumentation, and Data Collection

B. Computer information

             1. Computing resources

 The ship collects data using four Pentium-type computers.   These computers are dedicated to data acquisition and are not available, in any form, to the scientific party.   The main lab has a science computer on which basic programs are installed.   Scientists can use this computer to view and type emails as well as install cruise specific programs.   More information regarding the computing capabilities can be found on the ship’s website or by contacting the Sr. Marine Technician.

              2. Networking resources

The R/V Point Sur maintains a simple local area network between the bridge, main lab and electronics lab.   There are network drops located throughout the main lab where scientists can connect to the network for data transferring and for connecting to the ship’s network printer.   A wireless network can also be set up in the main lab if necessary.   Internet access is available while the vessel is dockside.

              3. Time server

Time for all the data acquisition computers is obtained from one of the ship’s GPS feeds.

              4. Technical assistance

The marine technicians will assist in all interfacing of scientists computer into the     ship’s network .

               5. Procedures for use of shipboard computing resources

                   a. Interfacing requirements and information

Computer network security concerns compel us to scan all computers for virus problems and operating system security holes.   To the extent possible, the ship’s technicians will have the necessary updates to correct problems but scientists should attempt to have their computers scanned and updated before they leave home.   If a problem is discovered or suspected that cannot be corrected and verified, the computer cannot be connected to the ship’s network.

                     b.Computers on ship’s network

If you want to bring a computer to use on the R/V Point Sur network, you should install and test all drivers and interface cards on your own network prior to the cruise – the marine technicians have limited time and resources for troubleshooting new and untested computers.   If it works on your TCP/IP network, then we can most likely make it work on the R/V Point Sur.

                     c. Instruments on ship’s network

                 Currently, the ship’s permanently installed sensors are not networked.

 

Marine Operations

Phone: (831) 771-4130 Fax: (831) 633-4580