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Introduction, Download, Account Creation

HiPerGator-RV

HiPerGator-RV is a secure computing environment where researchers and their collaborators can perform computations on and store sensitive and restricted data, as classified by UF. See the UF data classification guide for details.

The software middleware of the system is tiCrypt, and is developed and maintained by Tera Insights in collaboration with the University of Florida to address the needs of researchers working with restricted data, specifically projects requiring compliance with NIST 800-171 and NIST 800-53 standards. Using a combination of encryption and authentication processes, the ResVault environment is preapproved to transmit, store and process the most sensitive information. The actual work is done inside virtual machines (VMs) running Windows or Linux operating systems and applications.

Interactive work on the data is done from VMs running on infrastructure inside the vault. The size of the VM can be controlled by the developers and researchers so that applications that need multiple cores or large amounts of memory have the resources to run efficiently. Very large workloads and complex, multi-task workflows can be run interactively or asynchronously on the HPC resources inside the enclave. The HPC resources have been configured to support high-performance access to the data storage system.

Tip

The following information is primarily for teams that have already followed the procedures to set up a HiPerGator-RV team. If you are not part of an existing team, you probably should start here instead.

Details on HiPerGator-RV Security

Before using HiPerGator-RV, please familiarize yourself with this overview of the security structure of HiPerGator-RV.

HiPerGator-RV tiCrypt Connect Software Download

The application used with HiPerGator-RV is called tiCrypt Connect. That is the application you will download below, install and use to connect to HiPerGator-RV.

In most cases you must use a UF-owned computer

Most users of HiPerGator-RV are governed by a TCP. In most cases, the TCP stipulates that HiPerGator-RV must be used on a UF-owned computer.

Download the appropriate launcher for your operating system

These links will require GatorLink authentication before downloading the files.

Download the UF deployment file

When you install tiCrypt Connect, it will ask for a deployment file. The UF deplotment file can be downloaded below.

No need to open the deployment file

The deployment file is a json file, and is plain text. Many computers will ask you which application you want to use, or complain that there isn't an application to open the deployment file. Just "Save as..." and save the file and select if in the tiCrypt Connect interface. It knows how to deal with that file.

After uploading the deployment file, tiCrypt Connect may perform one or more updates. Please allow the updates to complete before continuing.

Create your account

After uploading the deployment file, the tiCrypt Connect screen should look similar to this. Screenshot of the tiCrypt Connect window, at the bottom is the Launch HiPerGator-RV button

  • Click the "Launch HiPerGator-RV" button at the bottom of the window.

  • That will open the main tiCrypt Connect window. Since you do not have an existing key, click the green "Create new user account" button and follow the prompts.

Screenshot of the main tiCrypt Connect window with the login screen, showing the green Create new user account button

  • The last step of the account creation process will download your key file. The key file ends in .json.

  • Be sure to be sure to save your key file on a UF-provided cloud storage or other backup systemm and save the password somewhere, such as a password manager.

  • Your account will not need to be activated by an administator, typically during a live training session, for you to be able to login.

Save your key file and password securely!

Access to tiCrypt Connect and HiPerGator-RV requires both your key file and your password!

If you lose the key file or forget your password, it is very difficult to get back into the system. Please be sure to save your key file on a UF-provided cloud storage or other backup systemm and save the password somewhere, such as a password manager.