VisuaLeaf
Overview
Currently, we recommend VisuaLeaf to access and query MongoDB via a GUI. If you are running large workflows and would like access to VisuaLeaf, please let Andrew know, and he will purchase a license for you. Try out the free version first to make sure it works for you.
Setup
Memory Usage
When you open VisuaLeaf, it will ask what kind of settings you would like — pick the most RAM that your computer can reasonably support (the available system RAM is at the top).
Connection Settings
There are two ways to connect to the database. The first option requires you to be on the Global Protect VPN. The second option does not require you to use the VPN but requires you to have an active SSH session.
Option 1: VPN
Make sure you are on the Global Protect VPN for this setup procedure. Then make a new connection with the following details. If you don't know your MongoDB password (which is different from your NetID password), ask Andrew.
Make sure to enable the SSH tunnel toggle switch!
Option 2: No VPN
If you don't want to use a VPN to connect to the database, first enable port forwarding:
ssh -L 27018:127.0.0.1:27017 <NetID>@tiger-arrk.princeton.edu
Keep the SSH session alive, but otherwise you can ignore it. Then make sure your connection configuration settings look like the following. Importantly, the SSH Tunnel tab should not be activated.
Tips
Performance
If you don't want to load your entire collection at once, if you right-click the collection it allows you to load only a certain number of documents at a time. This can be very useful if it takes a long time to load an entire collection.
Queries
One great thing about VisuaLeaf is its highly intuitive Visual Query Builder. You should take advantage of this drag-and-drop feature to make queries if you are unsure how to write them yourself.