ECaccess is a framework for batch and interactive access to ECMWF services for Member States and other ECMWF users.

The components of ECaccess are:

• The ECaccess gateways: all Member State users can access the ECMWF computing and archiving facilities through a gateway. Full ECaccess functionality requires an ECaccess gateway to be installed at the Member State. Alternatively, reduced ECaccess functionality is available on the ECMWF ECaccess gateway.
• The ECaccess Server: all gateways are connected to this server. It provides technical and high level services to the gateway, allowing generic access to computing and archiving facilities at ECMWF (through "ecgate").
• The "ecgate" server: includes services such as the local LoadLeveler batch system, the (LoadLeveler) batch system on c2a (the High Performance Computing Facility) and access to the ECFS, HOME and SCRATCH storage areas.

To allow authentication and improve security, an ECaccess Certification Authority (ECCA) certifies all ECaccess components.