File stager_hints.txt

1. stage list -F
This lists data disks. The Disk Inventory Manager (DIM) does not delete
filesets until space is needed for a new fileset.  Note that at Rutgers,
we do not use tapes at the moment, so all data resides on disk, and
at least one disk should show room for more data (otherwise we lose
some data inadvertently).

2. stage list -s 
   stage list -s CA4321.3 CA4322.1
The first command lists all filesets, the second shows the state of a
particular list of filesets.  A fileset is the basic unit of data that
is moved around by the DIM. "static" filesets cannot be deleted. 
Reservations indicate that a fileset is in use. Filesets with
reservations cannot be deleted.  Reservations have a life of about a
day if not explicitly released.

3. stage list -f
   stage list -s CA4321.3 -f
Show files in filesets. Files are about 1 GB in size. Their names
encode the dataset_id, the lowest run number in events in the file,
and the lowest run-section number in the lowest run number.

4. stage reserve RU1031.0 RU1031.1
   stage reserve -l CA4321.0 CA4321.1 CA4321.2 CA4321.3 CA4321.4
Put a reservation on filesets listed and show the explicit path to the
fileset (which is a directory containing the files of the set).  The
"-l" launches an import if the fileset is not present in DIM space (as
seen from stage list -s command). The import uses the import daemon on
hexfs1.rutgers.edu and the DIM "portal" disk areas /cdf/stage01/CA,
CB, PR, PS, GI, GJ, etc.

4A. stage release RU1031.0 RU1031.1
Be kind to your fellow data wizards and release reservations as soon
as you can.

5. stage update -P -F data06 -f RU1037.1
Mark RU1037.1 "static" or permanent on DIM disk. "-C" instead of "-P"
marks the fileset not permanent, i.e. "cached on disk". Use 
stage reserve to find the "-F data06" part of the command; or use
"$STAGER_DIR/bin/kfsetq RU1037.1".  Be kind to your fellow data
wizards and mark filesets "cached" as soon as you can.

NOTE: A NEW TOOL stage_update <C or P> RU1037.1 IS EASIER TO USE, see
web link on page above to list of tools for managing filesets.

6. stage help
   stage list -h
   stage update -h
   etc
show help text for the already-expert.

7. stage list -S fcdfsgi2.fnal.gov:50200 -s
does the equivalent of "stage list -s" on fcdfsgi2.fnal.gov.

8. "stage" is a binary exe which acts as a client communicating with
a server "Kahuna" which maintains the DIM database of filesets and
files.  The network of Kahunas do not communicate, but stage clients
can communicate with any kahuna by tcp packet.  ac++ jobs use the same
subroutines as the stage client.