MSAS System Definition File

The MSAS system definition file (msas_sysdef.txt) is used to specify the MSAS domain, background, and user-definable variables. It is used as input by the MSAS grid setup processing that's run during localization. Defaults have been established for each $FXA_INGEST_SITE.

To see what you're currently running with, the msas_sysdef.txt file may be found in one of two places:

• CONUS sites that haven't already customized MSAS:
  

  $FXA_HOME/data/localization/nationalData/msas_sysdef.txt

• Off-CONUS sites, or CONUS sites that have customized MSAS:
  

  $FXA_HOME/data/localizationDataSets/III/msas_sysdef.txt

To select settings other than the defaults, MSAS can be customized by taking a copy of this file, editing it with your changes, and putting it into:

$FXA_CUSTOM_FILES/III-msas_sysdef.txt, where III = your $FXA_INGEST_SITE

$FXA_CUSTOM_FILES points by default to /data/fxa/customFiles. (If your site has changed this, put the file into your $FXA_CUSTOM_FILES directory.)

Once the customized MSAS definition file has been created, you must then run AWIPS localization tasks to get the new settings into effect.

Editable Parameters

The MSAS system definition file is split into three sections, each containing some editable parameters, along with an explanation of the valid settings.

• MSAS Domain
• MSAS Background
• MSAS User-definable Variables