Remote operation of spectrometers at NMRFAM

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Remote operations

The remote operation of NMRFAM spectrometers has become increasingly popular. A user sends a sample to the facility; a NMRFAM staff member adjusts the temperature, places the sample in the magnet, and tunes and matches the probe. The remote user is notified that the spectrometer is ready and the user proceeds with the experiment. At the end of the experiment, the sample is removed from the magnet, stored, or shipped back as desired. In order to streamline this process, we have developed a procedure that should be followed to ensure efficient use of spectrometer and staff time.

Instructions for remote users

1. Submit a time request

Use Sundial at www.sesame.wisc.edu/Sundial/sundial_main.html to submit a time request. Contact Anne Lynn Gillian-Daniel (gillian@nmrfam.wisc.edu, 608-262-3173) for assistance. Scientific questions should be forwarded to Milo Westler (milo@nmrfam.wisc.edu). Make sure that your time request states that you will be running remotely.

2. Make arrangements to send the sample

When your time request is scheduled you will receive notification that the Sundial schedule is available to be viewed. At this point you should contact Anne Lynn Gillian-Daniel with information about your sample:

3. Contact your on-site operator

You will be assigned a contact at NMRFAM for this run. Please e-mail your contact person 2-3 days prior to the scheduled time with the specifics about the experiments.
Provide information about:

4. Run the experiment

Interactive internet access to the NMRFAM spectrometer computers requires the use of the SSH protocol (port 22). NMRFAM no longer accepts telnet or rlogin connections (port 23). Please make sure that your spectrometer login is ready and operational prior to the scheduled time. Note: the login for the NMRFAM spectrometer is distinct from your Sundial account.

For remote operation of the acquisition software it is highly recommended to use the VNC client software. This eliminates the problems associated with interrupted internet connections during experiments. The VNC client application software is available for free for most computer platforms. Check the links below for more on the VNC client software or google VNC.

Instructions for using VNC for remote data acquisition on the NMRFAM spectrometers:

Last updated May 13, 2006.