7z ​

This guide explain how you can install, compress and decompress archives in your lab with the 7z software, such as zip files.

Installation ​

Install 7z on your lab machine ​

Log into your lab machine and run the following code:

bash
sudo apt update && sudo apt-get install p7zip-full

Install 7z on your local computer ​

You can also install the 7z software on your own local computer:

 
Windows

Download 7-Zip installer from official pages: 7-Zip website

Note: First option from download list on 7-zip website linked above should work in most cases.

NTNU users

NTNU users can install 7-zip from the Software Center.

 
Mac OS

We recommend opening your zip files with Keka.

After successfull installation, Keka requires permissions to your home folder. You can find this under File Access in Keka.

keka1

 
Ubuntu

Install 7-zip command line tool using this command:

bash
sudo apt update && sudo apt-get install p7zip-full

Extract an archive ​

 
Windows

7zip_picture

 
Mac OS

Right click on your archive and select Open With --> Keka.

 
Ubuntu / Linux

Use the following code to extract an archive on your lab machine:

bash
# -- extract 7z
7za e <myfile>.7z

# -- extract zip
7za e <myfile>.zip

Compress small folders ​

This command allows you to compress and encrypt a folder in your lab:

bash
# -- principal examples
7za a <filename-for-new-file.7z> <lab-folder> -p<key>
  • Replace <filename-for-new-file.7z> with the name for your to-be compressed archive.
  • Replace <lab-folder> with the path of the folder (or file) in your lab that you aim to compress, for example /mnt/scratch/export-folder/.
  • Replace <key> with a key (passphrase) that you generate. This key is used to encrypt your archive. We recommend that your choose a passphrase of at least 12 characters.

Secure key transfers

Transfer your key in a separate channel than your compressed file. For example, you may consider to transfer your compressed file over SSH or filesender.no, and to transfer your archive key over the encrypted mobile app Signal.

Compress large folders ​

For larger folders we recommend to split your compressed file into several parts for easier transfers. The code below split your folder into 100G chunks:

bash
7za a -v100G <filename-for-new-file.7z> <lab-folder> -p<key>