DataFinder: Organizing the Data Chaos of Scientists PyCon UK 2008 (September 12 th , 2008, Birmingham) Andreas Schreiber < Andreas.Schreiber@dlr.de> German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne http://www.dlr.de/sc

The DLR German Aerospace Research Center Space Agency of the Federal Republic of Germany

The DLR

German Aerospace Research Center

Space Agency of the Federal Republic of Germany

5,700 employees working in 29 research institutes and facilities  at 13 sites . Offices in Brussels, Paris and Washington. Sites and employees  Köln  Lampoldshausen  Stuttgart  Oberpfaffenhofen Braunschweig   Göttingen Berlin -   Bonn Trauen   Hamburg  Neustrelitz Weilheim  Bremen - 

5,700 employees working in 29 research institutes and facilities

 at 13 sites .

Offices in Brussels, Paris and Washington.

Short Overview DataFinder is a software for efficient management of scientific and technical data Focus on huge data sets Development by DLR Primary functionality Structuring of data through assignment of meta information and self-defined data models Flexible usage of heterogeneous storage resources Integration in the working environment

DataFinder is a software for efficient management of scientific and technical data

Focus on huge data sets

Development by DLR

Primary functionality

Structuring of data through assignment of meta information and self-defined data models

Flexible usage of heterogeneous storage resources

Integration in the working environment

Introduction DataFinder founded by DLR National Grid project AeroGrid

DataFinder founded by DLR

National Grid project AeroGrid

Introduction Background Large-scale simulations aerodynamics material science climate … Tons of measured data wind-tunnel experiments earth observations traffic data …

Large-scale simulations

aerodynamics

material science

climate

…

Tons of measured data

wind-tunnel experiments

earth observations

traffic data

…

Introduction Data Management Problem Typical organizational situations No central data management policy Every employee organizes his/her data individually Researchers spend about 30% of their time searching for data Problem with data left behind by temporary staff Increase of data size and regulations Rapidly growing volume of simulation and experimental data Legal requirements for long-term availability of data (up to 50 years!) Situation similar at many organizations All ~30 DLR institutes Other research labs and agencies Industry

Typical organizational situations

No central data management policy

Every employee organizes his/her data individually

Researchers spend about 30% of their time searching for data

Problem with data left behind by temporary staff

Increase of data size and regulations

Rapidly growing volume of simulation and experimental data

Legal requirements for long-term availability of data (up to 50 years!)

Situation similar at many organizations

All ~30 DLR institutes

Other research labs and agencies

Industry

DataFinder History Search for solution for scientific data management Definition of “standard problem” (helicopter simulation) Test case for evaluation of software Evaluation of commercial product data management (PDM) systems PDM systems could manage data but with huge amount of costs PDM systems have many unneeded functionalities PDM systems have self-defined or unreadable scripting languages for extension and customization (Tcl etc.) Development of DataFinder Lightweight data management client and existing server solution Just enough functionality for our problems (no paid but unused features!)

Definition of “standard problem” (helicopter simulation)

Test case for evaluation of software

Evaluation of commercial product data management (PDM) systems

PDM systems could manage data but with huge amount of costs

PDM systems have many unneeded functionalities

PDM systems have self-defined or unreadable scripting languages for extension and customization (Tcl etc.)

Development of DataFinder

Lightweight data management client and existing server solution

Just enough functionality for our problems (no paid but unused features!)

DataFinder Development From Java Prototype to Python Product… Development of prototype in Java Data could be manages with prototype successfully Drawbacks: Java problems on important platforms (e.g., SGI IRIX) Embedded Jython interpreter great feature for users User: “ The Java GUI is like shit, but the Python scripting is great. We want a pure Python solution! ” Development of DataFinder product from scratch in Python

Development of prototype in Java

Data could be manages with prototype successfully

Drawbacks: Java problems on important platforms (e.g., SGI IRIX)

Embedded Jython interpreter great feature for users

User: “ The Java GUI is like shit, but the Python scripting is great. We want a pure Python solution! ”

Development of DataFinder product from scratch in Python

Python for Scientists and Engineers Reasons for Python in Research and Industry Observations : Scientists and engineers don’t want to write software but just solve their problems If they have to write code, it must be as easy as possible Why Python is perfect? Very easy to learn and easy to use ( = steep learning curve ) Allows rapid development ( = short development time ) Inherent great maintainability “ I want to design planes, not software!”

Observations :

Scientists and engineers don’t want to write software but just solve their problems

If they have to write code, it must be as easy as possible

Why Python is perfect?

Very easy to learn and easy to use ( = steep learning curve )

Allows rapid development ( = short development time )

Inherent great maintainability

“ Python has the cleanest, most-scientist- or engineer friendly syntax and semantics. Paul F. Dubois Paul F. Dubois. Ten good practices in scientific programming. Comp. In Sci. Eng., Jan/Feb 1999, pp.7-11

DataFinder Overview Basic Concept Client-Server solution Based on open and stable standards , such as XML and WebDAV Extensive use of standard software components (open source / commercial), limited own development at client side

Client-Server solution

Based on open and stable standards , such as XML and WebDAV

Extensive use of standard software components (open source / commercial), limited own development at client side

WebDAV Web-based Distributed Authoring & Versioning Extension of HTTP Allows to manage files on remote servers collaboratively WebDAV supports Resources (“files”) Collections (“directories”) Properties (“meta data”, in XML format) Locking WebDAV extensions Versioning (DeltaV) Access control (ACP) Search (DASL)

Extension of HTTP

Allows to manage files on remote servers collaboratively

WebDAV supports

Resources (“files”)

Collections (“directories”)

Properties (“meta data”, in XML format)

Locking

WebDAV extensions

Versioning (DeltaV)

Access control (ACP)

Search (DASL)

DataFinder Overview Client and Server Client User client Administrator client Implementation: Python with Qt Server WebDAV server for meta data and data structure Data Store concept Abstracts access to managed data Flexible usage of heterogeneous storage resources Implementation: Various existing server solutions (third-party)

Client

User client

Administrator client

Implementation: Python with Qt

Server

WebDAV server for meta data and data structure

Data Store concept

Abstracts access to managed data

Flexible usage of heterogeneous storage resources

Implementation: Various existing server solutions (third-party)

DataFinder Client Graphical User Interfaces User Client Administrator Client Implementation in Python with Qt/PyQt

DataFinder Server Supported WebDAV servers Commercial Server Solution Tamino XML database (Software AG) Open Source Server Solutions Apache HTTP Web server and module mod_dav Default storage: file system (mod_dav_fs) Module Catacomb (mod_dav_repos) + Relational database ( http://catacomb.tigris.org )

Commercial Server Solution

Tamino XML database (Software AG)

Open Source Server Solutions

Apache HTTP Web server and module mod_dav

Default storage: file system (mod_dav_fs)

Module Catacomb (mod_dav_repos) + Relational database ( http://catacomb.tigris.org )

WebDAV / Meta Data Server (1) Tamino WebDAV Server Commercial Server Solution (Software AG) WebDAV Server Tamino XML database backend Advantages Implements many WebDAV extensions (DASL, DeltaV, ACLs) Fast XML processing Good, but not free  Used in DLR for use with DataFinder One installation sufficient for many institutes

Commercial Server Solution (Software AG)

WebDAV Server

Tamino XML database backend

Advantages

Implements many WebDAV extensions (DASL, DeltaV, ACLs)

Fast XML processing

Good, but not free 

Used in DLR for use with DataFinder

One installation sufficient for many institutes

WebDAV / Meta Data Server (2) Apache + mod_dav Open Source solution (Apache Group) Apache HTTP Web server WebDAV extension module mod_dav File system + (G)DBM database Advantage: Free and easy to install  … but some WebDAV features are not supported No searching and versioning  Apache Core Server mod_http mod_auth_ldap mod_dav mod_dav_fs File system

Open Source solution (Apache Group)

Apache HTTP Web server

WebDAV extension module mod_dav

File system + (G)DBM database

Advantage: Free and easy to install 

… but some WebDAV features are not supported

No searching and versioning 

WebDAV / Meta Data Server (3) Catacomb Open Source solution Apache HTTP Web server + mod_dav Module Catacomb (replacement for file system) Relational database Search and versioning implemented: Uses database search features Open Source development at DLR ( http://catacomb.tigris.org ) Apache Core Server mod_http mod_auth_ldap mod_dav mod_dav_fs File system DB (MySQL) Catacomb mod_dav_repos

Open Source solution

Apache HTTP Web server + mod_dav

Module Catacomb (replacement for file system)

Relational database

Search and versioning implemented: Uses database search features

Open Source development at DLR ( http://catacomb.tigris.org )

Mass Data Storage Data Stores Logical View User Client Storage Locations

DataFinder Technical Aspects Access privilege management Authentication using WebDAV and LDAP Authorization for users and groups based on WebDAV (ACP) Client available on many platforms Linux, Windows, … Restricted by availability of Python 2.5 and Qt 3 + PyQt Extensible through Python scripts Python application programming interface (API) Accessing data and meta data

Access privilege management

Authentication using WebDAV and LDAP

Authorization for users and groups based on WebDAV (ACP)

Client available on many platforms

Linux, Windows, …

Restricted by availability of Python 2.5 and Qt 3 + PyQt

Extensible through Python scripts

Python application programming interface (API)

Accessing data and meta data

Python API User Client Extension with GUI import threading from datafinder.application import search_support from datafinder.gui.user import facade def searchAndDisplayResult(): &quot;&quot;&quot;Searches and displays the result in the search result logging window. &quot;&quot;&quot; query = &quot;displayname contains ‘test’ OR displayname == ‘ab’&quot; result = search_support.performSearch(query) resultLogger = facade.getSearchResultLogger() for path in result.keys(): resultLogger.info( &quot;Found item %s.&quot; % path) thread = threading.Thread(target=searchAndDisplayResult) thread.start()

Python API Command Line Example (without GUI) # Get API from datafinder.application import ExternalFacade externalFacade = ExternalFacade.getInstance() # Connect to a repository externalFacade.performBasicDatafinderSetup(username, password, startUrl) # Download the whole content rootItem = externalFacade.getRootWebdavServerItem() items = externalFacade.getCollectionContents(rootItem) for item in items: externalFacade.downloadFile(item, baseDirectory)

Additional “Batteries”… Used Libraries beyond the Python Standard Library (1) PyQt (http://www.riverbankcomputing.co.uk/software/pyqt) Interface to the Qt GUI framework (currently Qt 3) Used for DataFinder UI layer Pyparsing (http://pyparsing.wikispaces.com/) Creating and executing simple grammars Used for highlighting search expressions python-ldap (http://python-ldap.sourceforge.net/) Object-oriented API to access LDAP servers Authentication against LDAP / ActiveDirectory server paramiko (http://www.lag.net/paramiko) SSH2 protocol implementation

PyQt (http://www.riverbankcomputing.co.uk/software/pyqt)

Interface to the Qt GUI framework (currently Qt 3)

Used for DataFinder UI layer

Pyparsing (http://pyparsing.wikispaces.com/)

Creating and executing simple grammars

Used for highlighting search expressions

python-ldap (http://python-ldap.sourceforge.net/)

Object-oriented API to access LDAP servers

Authentication against LDAP / ActiveDirectory server

paramiko (http://www.lag.net/paramiko)

SSH2 protocol implementation

Additional “Batteries”… Used Libraries beyond the Python Standard Library (2) PyGlobus (http://www-itg.lbl.gov/gtg/projects/pyGlobus) Interface to The Globus Toolkit Used for GridFTP Data Store Boto (http://code.google.com/p/boto) Interfaces to Amazon Web Services Used for S3 (Simple Storage Service) Data Store davlib (http://www.webdav.org/mod_dav/ davlib.py ) WebDAV client library Used for core WebDAV functions

PyGlobus (http://www-itg.lbl.gov/gtg/projects/pyGlobus)

Interface to The Globus Toolkit

Used for GridFTP Data Store

Boto (http://code.google.com/p/boto)

Interfaces to Amazon Web Services

Used for S3 (Simple Storage Service) Data Store

davlib (http://www.webdav.org/mod_dav/ davlib.py )

WebDAV client library

Used for core WebDAV functions

WebDAV Client Library Support for DAV Extensions Provides an object-oriented interface for accessing WebDAV server Extracted from DataFinder source WebDAV client-side library supports Core WebDAV specification Access Control Protocol Basic Versioning (experimental) DAV Searching and Locating Secure HTTP connections Implementation based on davlib and standard httplib Apache License Version 2 Project Site: http://sourceforge.net/projects/pythonwebdavlib

Provides an object-oriented interface for accessing WebDAV server

Extracted from DataFinder source

WebDAV client-side library supports

Core WebDAV specification

Access Control Protocol

Basic Versioning (experimental)

DAV Searching and Locating

Secure HTTP connections

Implementation based on davlib and standard httplib

Apache License Version 2

Project Site: http://sourceforge.net/projects/pythonwebdavlib

Simple Use Case: File Upload and Search

Working with DataFinder…

Configuration and Customization Preparing DataFinder for certain “use cases” Requirements Analysis Analyze data, working environment, and users workflows Configuration Define and configure data model Configure distributed storage resources (Data Stores) Customization Write functional extensions with Python scripts

Requirements Analysis

Analyze data, working environment, and users workflows

Configuration

Define and configure data model

Configure distributed storage resources (Data Stores)

Customization

Write functional extensions with Python scripts

DataFinder Configuration Data Model and Data Stores Logical view to data Definition of data structuring and meta data (“data model”) Separated storage of data structure / meta data and actual data files Flexible use of (distributed) storage resources File system, WebDAV, FTP, GridFTP Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service) Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) Storage Resource Broker (SRB) Complex search mechanism to find data

Logical view to data

Definition of data structuring and meta data (“data model”)

Separated storage of data structure / meta data and actual data files

Flexible use of (distributed) storage resources

File system, WebDAV, FTP, GridFTP

Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service)

Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM)

Storage Resource Broker (SRB)

Complex search mechanism to find data

Data Structure Mapping of Organizational Data Structures User Object (collection) Object (file) Relation Attributes (meta data) Project A Project B Project C File 1 File 2 Simulation I Experiment Simulation II Project Mega Code Ultra User Eddie Key Value Project Mega Code Ultra User Eddie Key Value Project Mega Code Ultra User Eddie Key Value Project Mega Code Ultra User Eddie Key Value Project Mega Code Ultra User Eddie Key Value Project Mega Code Ultra User Eddie Key Value Project Mega Code Ultra User Eddie Key Value Project Mega Code Ultra User Eddie Key Value Project Mega Code Ultra User Eddie Key Value

Meta Data Describe and annotate data (“files”) and collections (“directories”) Different levels of meta data Required attributes defined by administrator User is free to choose additional ones Different types of meta data String Numbers (float, double, …) Lists Pictures Links Stored in XML format User can search in meta data

Describe and annotate data (“files”) and collections (“directories”)

Different levels of meta data

Required attributes defined by administrator

User is free to choose additional ones

Different types of meta data

String

Numbers (float, double, …)

Lists

Pictures

Links

Stored in XML format

User can search in meta data

Impact for Users DataFinder restricts the rights of users! Enforcement of “good behavior” User must comply to organizational standards Data is stored in defined (directory) hierarchy on data server Required meta data must be set prior upload User have certain access rights within hierarchy “ Damn! I’m a great scientist! I want freedom to have my own directory layout…”

DataFinder restricts the rights of users!

Enforcement of “good behavior”

User must comply to organizational standards

Data is stored in defined (directory) hierarchy on data server

Required meta data must be set prior upload

User have certain access rights within hierarchy

Customization Python-Scripting for Extension and Automation Integration of DataFinder with environment User, infrastructure, software, … Extension of DataFinder by Python scripts Actions for resources (i.e., files, directories) User interface extensions Typical automations and customizations Data migration and data import Start of external application (with downloaded data files) Extraction of meta data from result files Automation of recurring tasks (“workflows”)

Integration of DataFinder with environment

User, infrastructure, software, …

Extension of DataFinder by Python scripts

Actions for resources (i.e., files, directories)

User interface extensions

Typical automations and customizations

Data migration and data import

Start of external application (with downloaded data files)

Extraction of meta data from result files

Automation of recurring tasks (“workflows”)

DataFinder Scripting Downloading File and Starting Application # Download the selected file and try to execute it. from datafinder.application import ExternalFacade from guitools.easygui import * import os from tempfile import * from win32api import ShellExecute # Get instance of ExternalFacade to access DataFinder API facade = ExternalFacade.getInstance() # Get currently selected collection in DataFinder Server-View resource = facade.getSelectedResource() if resource != None: tmpFile = mktemp(ressource.name) facade.downloadFile(resource, tmpFile) if os.path.exists(tmpFile): ShellExecute(0, None, tmpFile, &quot;&quot; , &quot;&quot; , 1) else : msgbox( &quot;No file selected to execute.&quot; )

Examples…

Example 1: Turbine Simulation

Example 1: Fluid Dynamics Simulation Turbine Simulation Design of new turbine engines High-resolution simulation of flow Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Use of high-performance computing resources (Cluster / Grid) Huge amounts of data (>100 GByte) DataFinder used for Management of results Automation of simulation runs Starting pre-/post processing Used for CFD-code TRACE (DLR) See http://www.aero-grid.de

Design of new turbine engines

High-resolution simulation of flow

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

Use of high-performance computing resources (Cluster / Grid)

Huge amounts of data (>100 GByte)

DataFinder used for

Management of results

Automation of simulation runs

Starting pre-/post processing

Used for CFD-code TRACE (DLR)

See http://www.aero-grid.de

Simulation steps (example): splitCGNS Preparing data for TRACE TRACE (CFD solver) Main computation fillCGNS Conflating results Post Processing Data reduction and visualization Automation with customized DataFinder Turbine Simulation Data Model

Simulation steps (example):

splitCGNS

Preparing data for TRACE

TRACE (CFD solver)

Main computation

fillCGNS

Conflating results

Post Processing

Data reduction and visualization

Automation with customized DataFinder

Turbine Simulation: Graphical User Interface

Turbine Simulation: Customized GUI Extensions Create new simulation Start a simulation Query status Cancel simulation Project overview 1 2 3 4 5

Create new simulation

Start a simulation

Query status

Cancel simulation

Project overview

Turbine Simulation Starting External Applications CGNS Infos / ADFview / CGNS Plot TRACE GUI Gnuplot 1 2 3

CGNS Infos / ADFview / CGNS Plot

TRACE GUI

Gnuplot

Example 2: Automobile Supplier

Example 2: Automobile Supplier DataFinder for Simulation and Data Management Tasks Automation and management of simulation of customers Mapping of specific work sequence High flexibility regarding customers requirements

Tasks

Automation and management of simulation of customers

Mapping of specific work sequence

High flexibility regarding customers requirements

Automobile Supplier Data Model

Automobile Supplier Configuration of Customers Parameters

Automobile Supplier Management of Simulations Status overview Create, change, and delete data sets Manage versions of data files Parameter overview

Status overview

Create, change, and delete data sets

Manage versions of data files

Parameter overview

Automobile Supplier Upload, Download, and Versioning of Files Upload/download of results Versioning of results Script store results in DataFinder data structures

Upload/download of results

Versioning of results

Script store results in DataFinder data structures

Example 3: Air Traffic Management

Example 3: Air Traffic Monitoring Database for Air Traffic Monitoring Air traffic monitoring is important for research Predictions of air traffic New traffic management approaches Usage of DataFinder Database for traffic data and reports Project oriented view

Air traffic monitoring is important for research

Predictions of air traffic

New traffic management approaches

Usage of DataFinder

Database for traffic data and reports

Project oriented view

Database for Air Traffic Monitoring Data Model and Data Migration

Database for Air Traffic Monitoring Data Import Wizard Import of all data sources (PDF/Word/text files, Excel, Access, …) Classification into multiple categories Prevention of duplicated data and consistent naming

Import of all data sources (PDF/Word/text files, Excel, Access, …)

Classification into multiple categories

Prevention of duplicated data and consistent naming

Database for Air Traffic Monitoring Search Results

Current Work and Future Plans Current work Migration to Qt 4 Improved usage (e.g., search dialogs) Integration with Shibboleth Future Web interfaces Jython Embedding in Java/Eclipse applications Reuse of custom GUI dialogs Migration to Py3k

Current work

Migration to Qt 4

Improved usage (e.g., search dialogs)

Integration with Shibboleth

Future

Web interfaces

Jython

Embedding in Java/Eclipse applications

Reuse of custom GUI dialogs

Migration to Py3k

Am Ende… Hinweise pyCologne: Python User Group Köln Monatliche Treffen von Python-Interessierten aus dem Großraum Köln http://www.pycologne.de Interesse an spannenden Tätigkeiten in Luft- und Raumfahrt? Feste Mitarbeit Diplomarbeiten, Praktika http://tinyurl.com/dlrJobs

pyCologne: Python User Group Köln

Monatliche Treffen von Python-Interessierten aus dem Großraum Köln

http://www.pycologne.de

Interesse an spannenden Tätigkeiten in Luft- und Raumfahrt?

Feste Mitarbeit

Diplomarbeiten, Praktika

http://tinyurl.com/dlrJobs

Availability DataFinder core available as Open Source BSD License http://sourceforge.net/projects/datafinder Extended versions / extensions are proprietary

DataFinder core available as Open Source

BSD License

http://sourceforge.net/projects/datafinder

Extended versions / extensions are proprietary

Links DataFinder Web site http://www.dlr.de/datafinder DataFinder Open Source http://sourceforge.net/projects/datafinder Python WebDAV library http://sourceforge.net/projects/pythonwebdavlib Catacomb http://catacomb.tigris.org AeroGrid Project http://www.aero-grid.de

DataFinder Web site

http://www.dlr.de/datafinder

DataFinder Open Source

http://sourceforge.net/projects/datafinder

Python WebDAV library

http://sourceforge.net/projects/pythonwebdavlib

Catacomb

http://catacomb.tigris.org

AeroGrid Project

http://www.aero-grid.de

Questions?