Getting Started

Thank you for using TACC. If you are a new TACC user, this page will guide you through the process of setting up an account for use with this Portal. If you are an existing user that already has an active allocation and multi-factor authentication with the TACC Token App on your account, then you are ready to use this portal.

Creating an Account

Before you can access the Portal, you must first have an active account with TACC.

Choosing institution from a form.

If you have UT System Institution Credentials, you may create a TACC account from those by first selecting your institution at portal.tacc.utexas.edu/utdr.

Otherwise, you may sign up for a new TACC account at portal.tacc.utexas.edu/account-request.

A login form.

Log in with your institution credentials.

A button to create a TACC account.

You should see a page that welcomes you with your name and institution. Click the I need to create a TACC Account button. Complete form. If you are eligible, check the I am PI Eligible box. You will receive an e-mail with a verification link. Please click on the link to verify your account.

Requesting Access

Some projects require an allocation or other access be provided before login is possible.

If you are unable to login, please inquire whether your project requires allocation before login, and if so request that allocation from an appropriate member.

Logging In for the First Time

Your initial login to the Portal begins an onboarding process.

The Portal homepage with active login link.

You may now log in to the Portal by navigating to https://a2cps.org/login.

The TACC login form.

At the authentication page, please enter your TACC username and password.

The TACC post-login authentication approval step.

When asked, click the Always Approve button.

A sample Portal account onboarding in progress.

The Portal will display the Account Setup page. This page will verify that your account has passed several checks. These checks differ per portal, and may include:

  • Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) with the TACC Token App
  • Requesting access to Portal from system administrator
  • Checking or requesting project membership
  • Retrieving allocations for your account
  • Creating storage systems for your account

If you already meet these requirements, you will be forwarded to the Dashboard and you may proceed with Accessing Your Files. Otherwise, continue reading about Onboarding Your Account.

Onboarding Your Account

Your account will have a certain number of Account Onboarding steps. Some of them require action from you while some are automated.

Multi-Factor Authentication

Your account may need to have Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) setup using the TACC Token App, available on the Google Play and iTunes stores.

A sample Portal account onboarding with 'Multi-Factor Authentication' step pending action.

If you have already set up MFA pairing through the TACC Token App, then click Confirm MFA Pairing.

A sample modal dialog UI explaining the next step of 'Multi-Factor Authentication'.

If you have not set up MFA pairing through the TACC Token App, then set up multi-factor authentication in your TACC Portal Account Profile.

A illustration of a mobile phone, a temporary token on its screen, the TACC logo, and references to visit Apple's or Google's app marketplace.

To set up multi-factor authentication, pair your TACC Portal Account with the TACC Token App.

A sample Portal account onboarding with 'Multi-Factor Authentication' step in progress.

Once you have completed MFA pairing with the TACC Token app, return to the Account Onboarding.

A sample Portal account onboarding with 'Multi-Factor Authentication' step complete.

Your account is now authenticated. You may proceed to the next step of the Account Onboarding.


Requesting Access

To use the Portal, you may need to have an active allocation on TACC resources. If you are PI eligible, you may request your own allocations. Alternatively (if you do not already have an active allocation), you may request access to an existing allocation during the Account Onboarding process.

A sample Portal account onboarding with 'Requesting Access' step pending action.

If you are a new TACC user that does not have an active project, you may request to be added to one. Please click Request Portal Access in the Account Onboarding. A request to be added to an allocation will be generated on your behalf.

A sample Portal account onboarding with 'Requesting Access' step in progress.

Your request will be reviewed by TACC staff. When you have been approved, you will receive an e-mail notification.

A sample Portal account onboarding with 'Requesting Access' step complete.

Your account now has an allocation on the necessary TACC resources. You may proceed to the next step of the Account Onboarding.


Checking Project Membership

To use the Portal, you may need to have memebrship on a project. If you are PI eligible, you may request your own project. Alternatively, you may request to be added to a project through the Account Onboarding.

A sample Portal account onboarding with 'Checking Project Membership' step pending action.

If you are a new TACC user that does not have an active project, you may request to be added to one. Please click Request Project Access in the Account Onboarding. A request to be added to a project will be generated on your behalf.

A sample Portal account onboarding with 'Checking Project Membership' step in progress.

Your request will be reviewed by TACC staff. When you have been approved, you will receive an e-mail notification.

A sample Portal account onboarding with 'Checking Project Membership' step complete.

Your account now has access to a project on the Portal. You may proceed to the next step of the Account Onboarding.


Other Steps

Onboarding for the specific Portal you use may require additional Account Onboarding steps, like:

  • Retrieving Allocations
  • Creating Storage Systems

A sample Portal account onboarding with all steps complete.

Please follow the Account Onboarding until all steps are complete.

Once your Account Onboarding is complete, you may click Access Dashboard, or navigate to the Dashboard with the now-enabled sidebar.

Accessing Your Files

To access your personal files on the Portal, you will need to Authenticate with TACC using the TACC Token App.

The primary and secondary navigation within the Portal interface: 'Data Files' section is active, 'My Data (Frontera)' is active.

In the Portal Dashboard, click the Data Files icon on the left navigation. You will be taken to My Data.

A warning message about file access that suggests user to 'push their keys'.

You will be asked to Authenticate with TACC Token before you are able to access your files. Click the Authenticate with TACC Token button.

A form with all of its fields autopoulated except for 'Password' and 'TACC Token'.

In the window that appears, enter your password and a token from the TACC Token App. Then click Authenticate.

The full Portal interface when viewing 'Data Files' → 'My Data (Frontera)' with no files.

Upon success, you can access your personal files on My Data. If you are a first time user, then you may not have any files yet.