ABSTRACT

Creation of a central database of Monte-Carlo events is motivated by simulation needs which are specific to the high energy physics domain. In general, the correct and reliable Monte-Carlo simulation of complex processes requires rather sophisticated expertise. Often, different physics groups in various experimental collaborations approach the same experts and authors of Monte-Carlo event generators in order to prepare Monte-Carlo event samples for a particular physics process. If these events are stored in a public place along with the corresponding and comprehensive documentation, it helps to verify the samples and compare different Monte-Carlo models, and prevents то squander computing resources and, especially, precious human time.

Main LCG MCDB Features

• Content Management System with a powerful and flexible Web interface for authors of event samples
  
• Tree graph of directories with articles published in MCDB to browse the database
  
• Power search engine based SQL/XML
  
• CASTOR as the native storage for the MC samples
  
• Direct uploading of one or several files from AFS/CASTOR/GRID to LCG MCDB
  
• Direct downloading of files from LCG MCDB via Web/CASTOR/GRID (URI)
  
• Flexible and reliable authorization system based on CERN AFS/Kerberos logins or LCG GRID certificates
  
• SQL structure of documentation on the event samples
  
• Backup of the stored samples and corresponding SQL information
  
• API to the LHC collaboration software environments
  
• HepML. A unified and flexiable format for event files ( more details)

LCG MCDB Web-server

http://mcdb.cern.ch

CMS MCDB TWiki page

https://twiki.cern.ch/twiki/bin/view/CMS/MCDBCMSSWInterface

Information for users

On-line help and How-to for authors

FAQ

Tutorials

Short Dictionary

Publications about MCDB

API to Collaboration software

CMSSW interface

Technical information

SVN MCDB Repository

* Parameters describing event samples in LCG MCDB

* XML Schema of LCG MCDB article (a part of HepML)

* Status Report

* PLANS

* MCDB-TODO

* Developers documentation

Other document