Optional
Change to RTGRIDS Dataset Structure
Software and Instructions
13 November 2003
This is the second addendum to the May 2003 McIDAS-XCD upgrade, version
2003. The first addendum was dated 30 May
2003.
With the massive growth of grids in the NOAAPORT datastream over the
past couple years, many users have had difficulty in locating the grids
they want, or in finding out which grids are available. Because of
those issues and the recent merging of the MRF and AVN into the GFS,
we have created a new default dataset naming and file location structure
for real-time grids that makes the task of locating and using the grids
easier and more efficient.
Specifically, we identified all grid types that are currently available
through the NOAAPORT datastream and created datasets for each of them
in the group RTGRIDS. The new dataset names are assigned by model in
a way that indicates the coverage, projection and other attributes.
This results in a much larger number of datasets in the RTGRIDS group
(71 instead of the current 11), but makes the use of grid data easier
for the user by clarifying the availability and location of specific
data.
As part of the change, the default real-time grid file range was moved
from 5001-6000 to 50001-100000. This increase in available grid files
makes room for the new datasets as well as for future expansion of
grid data.
Three important notes:
- You do not have to install this addendum. It is
optional, however, the new RTGRIDS dataset structure is being used
by the SSEC Data Center and it will become the default for future
versions of McIDAS-XCD.
- If you elect to install this addendum, you must install McIDAS-XCD
2003 and the 30 May 2003 Addendum before
proceeding with this addendum.
- If you elect to install this addendum, you should give your users several
days or weeks notice (whatever is appropriate for your
site) before installing this addendum. The long notice is necessary
because users of real-time grids will need sufficient time to change
and test use of the new RTGRIDS/* datasets in their GRD* commands
(GRDCOPY, GRDDISP, GRDIMG, GRDINFO and GRDLIST). The changes must
be done in all GRD* commands in scripts, BATCH files, F-Key menus,
McBASI programs and SKE entries as well as commands entered by
hand. See the SSEC Data Center user
announcement and description
of the new RTGRIDS naming scheme for the documents provided
to its users.
Optional Action:
Complete the steps below to obtain and install the addendum.
- Login to the McIDAS-XCD workstation as user oper.
- From a McIDAS-X session running under the oper account,
inactivate the grid data monitor, DMGRID.
Type: DECINFO SET DMGRID INACTIVE
- Download the file RTMODELS.CFG to
the~mcidas/data directory on your McIDAS-XCD
workstation. It will replace the existing version of the file.
- Change the oper account's redirections
for the new grid files so McIDAS-XCD knows where to write the files.
- From a McIDAS-X session running under the oper account,
add the file redirections for the new grid files.
Type: REDIRECT ADD GRI5* "<full
path to your grid data>
Type: REDIRECT ADD GRI6* "<full path
to your grid data>
Type: REDIRECT ADD GRI7* "<full path
to your grid data>
Type: REDIRECT ADD GRI8* "<full path
to your grid data>
Type: REDIRECT ADD GRI9* "<full path
to your grid data>
- From a McIDAS-X session running under the oper account,
remove the file redirection for the old grid files.
Type: REDIRECT DEL GRID5*
- If you want to ingest all grid data, then edit the file ~oper/mcidas/data/NOGRIB.CFG and
comment out all active lines by placing a pound sign (#) at the beginning
of each line.
- From a McIDAS-X session running under the oper account,
reactivate the grid data monitor, DMGRID.
Type: DECINFO SET DMGRID ACTIVE
- Add the new datasets to your remote server.
- Login to the McIDAS-XCD workstation as user mcadde.
- Edit the file ~mcadde/mcidas/data/RESOLV.SRV and
remove all of its references to RTGRIDS datasets.
- Download the file NEWDATASETS.BAT to
the ~mcadde/mcidas/data directory.
- Start a McIDAS-X session (with command mcidas).
- From the McIDAS-X session, run the BATCH file to add the
new datasets.
Type: BATCH NEWDATASETS.BAT
- Change the mcadde account's redirections
for the new grid files so the remote server knows where to find the
files.
- From a McIDAS-X session running under the mcadde account,
add the file redirections for the new grid files.
Type: REDIRECT ADD GRI5* "<full
path to your grid data>
Type: REDIRECT ADD GRI6* "<full path
to your grid data>
Type: REDIRECT ADD GRI7* "<full path
to your grid data>
Type: REDIRECT ADD GRI8* "<full path
to your grid data>
Type: REDIRECT ADD GRI9* "<full path
to your grid data>
- From a McIDAS-X session running under the mcadde account,
remove the file redirection for the old grid files.
Type: REDIRECT DEL GRID5*
- End the McIDAS-X session running under the mcadde account.
Type: EXIT
- If you have cron jobs or scheduler entries
that call the QRTMDG command to remove old grid files, you will need
to modify them to reflect the change to the real-time grid file range.
For example, if your cron job
or scheduler entry contains this command:
QRTMDG GRID 5001 6000 5
change it to this:
QRTMDG GRID 50001 100000 5
- If you decode MDR (Manually Digitized Radar) grids, change the
starting grid file number in MDRDEC.CFG to
match that in RTMODELS.CFG.
This completes the instructions. If you have any questions, send email
to the McIDAS Help Desk.
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