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How To Transfer Files with Globus

How To Transfer Files with Globus

Globus logo

Globus Data Transfer is a simplified way to access and move your research data, across all storage systems, using

any existing identity  (Linkblue Account). Transfer data to and from systems such as:

  • LCC/MCC Clusters

  • Laptops

  • Lab / departmental storage

  • Off-campus resources (ACCESS, National Labs)

Access them all using a web browser GUI.

This step-by-step guide will show you how to login into Globus and use it to transfer files between Globus Collections. 

Log in

You must log in to the Globus website to initiate any transfers. Visit https://www.globus.org and click "Login" at the top of the page.

On the Globus login page, choose an organization "University of Kentucky" from drop-down list of organizations.

When you have selected it, click "Continue"

The Log-in page for the Globus web application. An arrow is pointing to the dropdown menu for selecting which instituions to log-in with, and a circle over a blue button labeled 'Continue'

You will be redirected to University of Kentucky's login page. Enter your Linblue Credentials and "Login" to continue.

The Linkblue log-in page used by the University of Kentucky

Once you have successfully logged in, Globus will ask if you'd like to link an existing account. If you already used another account with Globus, you can choose "Link to an existing account". If this is your first time logging into Globus, click "Continue."

The Welcome page that is shown when a user first logs into the Globus web application. A red circle is being used to highlight the 'Continue' button on the page. A 'Link to an existing account' button is also show next to it.

Now you will be prompted to accept Globus user agreement to complete the Sign Up process.

The complete sign-up page of the Globus Web App. It is displaying the name, email, and organization of a hypothetical user logging into Globus. Below that information, checkboxes for confirming have read the user agreement and for signing up to e-mail updates been selected. A red circle highlights a blue 'Continue' button below all of that.the name

Finally, you need to give Globus permission to use your identity to access information and perform actions (like file transfer) on your behalf.

A list of permission the Globus web application is asking for in order to function properly. A red circle is highlighting a blue 'Allow' button.

The File Manager

After successfully logged in to Globus, you will begin at the File Manager dashboard. This is the primary way you will transfer files between different systems.

The Globus File Manager tab, currently open with a single blank panel. A blank 'Collection' text bar at the top of the page is selected.

Access an Endpoint

Click in the "Collection" field near the top of the File Manager page and type the name of the Globus collection you wish to access. If you do not know the exact name of a collection, you can also enter other related search terms to locate it.

The names of the collections we maintain for each of our systems are as follows:

  • LCC Cluster: Lipscomb Compute Cluster (LCC)

  • MCC Cluster: Morgan Compute Cluster (MCC)

  • Educelab Cluster: EduceLab Compute Cluster (ECC)  

  • Gemini Storage: 

    • Gemini1-1

    • Gemini1-2

    • Gemini2-1

    • Gemini3-1

    • Gemini3-2

  • SeaGate Storage:

    • SeaGate01 through SeaGate05

 

The Collection Search Page that is open when typing into the 'Collection' text bar in the File Manager. the word 'lipscomb' has been entered, and a list of possible Globus collections (1 in this case) are shown as search results.

 

 

On first access, Globus will prompt for the Globus ID you want to use to access the collection. Please select your Linkblue Credentials to access one of our Collections.

Screenshot from 2026-02-19 10-42-04.png

 

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Start a file transfer

Globus will connect to the collection and display the default directory (usually your home directory), Click the "Path" field and change it to directory path

that you wish to transfer. Click on "Transfer or Sync to..." in the command panel on the right side of page. A new collection panel will open, type destination collection that you wish to transfer files to. Follow similar instructions to connect to your desired destination collection.

In this example, I am transferring files from LCC to OURRstore resources.

Screenshot from 2026-02-19 10-45-59.png

 

Select the files on left side that you wish transfer and enter the "Path" for destination where you would like to transfer files on right side.

Click "Start" button above the selected files to initiate the transfer.

Globus will display a green notification panel - confirming that the transfer request was submitted.

Screenshot from 2026-02-23 14-47-12.png
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Check transfer status

After transfer submitted, it will add a badge to the Activity item in the command menu on the left of the page. Click on "Activity" to

see the status of transfer. You will also receive an email notification with the transfer details.

Screenshot from 2026-02-23 14-47-32.png

 

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Confirm transfer

Click "File Manager" in the command menu on the left of the page to return to File Manager. From the example, you should notice that the files from "LCC"

are now transferred to "OURRstore"

Screenshot from 2026-02-23 16-19-43.png

 

 

Create a Personal Collection

  1. Download the "Globus Connect Personal Application" for your laptop or workstation

    1. Follow Step 1 as above to get your account setup on Globus.org

    2. Install Globus Connect Personal as per your workstation's OS.

    3. Run the installer as directed.

    

2. This will ask you to name your local endpoint

  • Enter descriptive name for your local endpoint for ex: john-smith-workstation        

  • Next it will generate a unique key for your computer. Copy that to your clipboard once created, you will need it in next step below.

3. Once installation is successful, it will leave the agent running on your laptop or workstation.

4. Your local workstation (or Laptop) is now a Globus Collection.

5. Follow above Step 4 to transfer data between a collection and your workstation. You can search for your personal endpoint name

when selecting the destination endpoint.

 

 

Key Concepts

  • Globus Collection - A Globus “collection” is any other computer running the Globus Connect software, whether a server, laptop, or an HPC cluster.

  • Shared Collection - A folder containing the files/folders you want to share. To grant access to other users, you create a “shared collection” from this folder.

  • Globus ID - The unique ‘handle’ or user ID for the person you want to share with. This is typically in the form of username@institution.edu.

  • Globus Groups - You can share folders or files to either specific individuals, or to groups that you create and manage within Globus. A group must be populated with at least one user.

 

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Center for Computational Sciences