Hello, I would like to use git-annex to sync files between my desktop, laptop, and a remote server. The remote server is part of a Beowulf cluster, these files are used to run simulations on the cluster, but I want the same files on my laptop and desktop to mirror those on the cluster. I already have git annex assistant syncing files between the desktop and laptop. I do not and will not ever have root access on the cluster, so I can't install git-annex there. I can access the cluster server via ssh or by mounting it as NFS (OS X 10.11.6). The NFS solution doesn't work due to the issues with file locking previously discussed on these forums. I can set up an ssh repo but that's a "special remote" and I cannot access the files when ssh'ed in there, which I need to do to run the simulations. Is there a strategy to do what I want with git-annex? Thanks!
It sounds like you want to have a git-annex working directory on the server.
You can put git-annex on the server without root access. Just place it in a user folder such as ~/local .
In your original message, you mentioned NFS won't work due to locking. However, as far as I know, those NFS locking problems can be worked around by
git config annex.pidlock true
. That said, I encourage not using NFS if there is any alternative and it sounds like you've found an alternative, so great.Re your question about the assistant, have you tried running the assistant in the repo on the server? Once it's running, it should update the repository whenever the client pushes over a change.