Setting Up Initial Resources

WXP Resource File

WXP has an internal list of parameters called resources which are used to tailor input and output of data, analyses, etc. Each resource has a preset value which is program dependent.  In many cases, these preset values are either the same or similar for all programs.  Even though WXP presets these resources, they often don't work in the most working environments.  As a result, it is necessary to modify resource defaults in a resource file.  This resource file is read in prior to performing any computations and analyses.

Resource File Location

The default filename is wxp.cfg which WXP expects to find in the current working directory.  This file can be placed in a common location such as /home/wxp/etc or /usr/local/wxp/etc so that all users can access it.  WXP will automatically search all those directories for the resource file.  If the resource file is not in those directories or is named something different, the wxpdefault environment variable must be set to the directory in which the resource file file is located:

> export wxpdefault=/home/miller/.wxpdef

or

> export wxpdefault=/usr/local/etc

More than one file can be specified separated by colons. WXP processes the files in the order listed. The last file takes precedence.

If needed, the wxpdefault environment variable should be set in the login shell's startup script (e.g. .bashrc or .cshrc).

WXP Resource File Contents

When WXP is installed, a sample resource file wxpdef.sample is put in the etc directory. For NOAAPORT users, the sample file is: wxpdef-noaaport.sample.   This is only to be used as a guide of what can be put in the resource file. Most of the settings in the default resource file should work without modification.  The only exception are the locations of specific types of data files.  Look for the following resources:

#
# Global resources
#
*file_path: /home/wxp/etc
*data_path: /mnt/noaaport/nwstg/data
*model_path: /mnt/noaaport/nwstg/model
*text_path: /mnt/noaaport/nwstg/text
*sat_path: /mnt/noaaport/goese/sat
*con_path: /mnt/noaaport/nwstg/data
*watch_path: /mnt/noaaport/nwstg/data
#
# NIDS resources
#
nids.data_path: /mnt/noaaport/nwstg/nids
#
# Lightning resources
#
light.data_path: /mnt/noaaport/nwstg/nldn

The first resource listed is the "file_path" resource which determines the location of database files and the critical WXP license file "wxp.lic". 

The other path resources tell WXP where to find other pieces of data.  For Unisys NOAAPORT customers, the only change is the mount point for the NOAAPORT server.

Once this is done, and the license file is put in the file_path directory, WXP is ready to use.


For further information about WXP, email devo@ks.unisys.com
Last updated by Dan Vietor, March 2007