Bobst Center Research Server

Click here to return to RStudio Server after login if you were redirected here.

Welcome

This compute server is for the use of Bobst Center researchers and other personnel.

• Get an account to begin using the server.
• RStudio Server is the main interface for working on the server.
• Shiny Server allows publishing interactive Web apps written in R.

The research server is intended to be:

• More convenient for running R jobs than university-wide Princeton Research Computing.
• Higher-powered than individual laptop computers.

RStudio Server

At https://pol-db4drd2.princeton.edu/rstudio/ there is an RStudio Server instance for computing in R (and Python).

RStudio Server provides:

• An R console and editor for interactive use and development.
• A Linux terminal for running commands on the system.
• A graphical interface for working with files in your home directory.

Get an account to log in to the RStudio Server.

Shiny Server

You can host interactive apps created in R with Shiny for Web users.

To publish an app you have created:

• Make sure you have a folder in your home directory named ShinyApps (create it using the RStudio Server if necessary).
• Copy the directory your app is in to the ShinyApps directory.
• Your app can now be accessed at https://pol-db4drd2/shiny/username/appname/ from the Web.

The trailing slash is absolutely required in your app URL. The server will redirect improperly without it.

It is a good idea to develop your app within a different folder and only copy ready-to-use versions to ShinyApps.

Get an account

Make sure you are on the princeton.edu domain via either VPN or a wired connection on campus.

• See instructions (Princeton login required) for installing and using GlobalProtect VPN if needed.
• Testing suggests on-campus eduroam wireless connections may also work.

Visit https://pol-db4drd2.princeton.edu/shiny/usertools/useradd/ to submit new account information.

Finally, wait for the automated e-mail message at your princeton.edu address and click the activate link to confirm your account.

Polite use

Share system resources

There is no job scheduler and no enforced limit on storage, memory, or CPU use, but resources are finite. Be mindful of other users!

• Please try to avoid permanently storing many large data files on the server.
• Please limit the number and length of jobs you run that will use most of the RAM or cores.

Close Shiny apps when finished

Only one user can access a given app at a time on Shiny Server Open Source. Close apps promptly when finished!

• Please consider adding a notification to this effect for outside users in your app itself.

Policies

Policies may be updated at any time.

Polite use policy

Users may be warned or deactivated for serious failures of polite use. Deactivation may include permanent loss of files.

FAQ

Can I connect to the server other than through the RStudio Server?

You can connect via ssh or a standalone file client like FileZilla, but RStudio Server will usually be more convenient.

Where are my H: and M: drives?

This private resource is not connected to the Central File Server.

Can I restrict access to my Shiny apps?

No, for the most part, Shiny apps you create will be accessible by anyone on the Web.

• Shiny Server Open Source does not include password authentication functionality.
• Basic authentication can be implemented at the level of the reverse proxy server (see below), but will not be set up.
• Restricting app access to VPN or wired campus network users (as at Get an account) will be considered case by case.

Why did my browser warn me about an insecure connection?

Why does RStudio Server login redirect here?

Why must Shiny app URLs include a trailing slash?

These are quirks of the reverse proxy used to provide an encrypted (secured) connection to the server software. This is harmless.

• RStudio Server and Shiny Server Open Source do not have encryption functionality built in.
• Instead, a general Web server that is secured handles all connections from the outside.
• The general server (a “reverse proxy”) passes data within the system to and from the RStudio Server and the Shiny Server.

The reverse proxy accepts unsecured connection requests, which may cause warnings, but redirects them to encrypted connections.

• RStudio Server and Shiny Server inputs, including login info, are never passed over unsecured connections.

Do I have to use a VPN to access the RStudio Server?

No, only to get an account with which to log in.

Who maintains the server?

This server is maintained by Gordon Arsenoff.