Project-Based Management of Resources of the RWTH HPC Cluster
The IT Center has been operating high-performance computers for several decades, which support the institutions and employees of RWTH Aachen University in research and teaching. All members of RWTH Aachen University have free access to the RWTH HPC Cluster. However, resources are limited, as demand is typically higher than supply, and due to special requirements defined by funding agencies.
The computing time application, reviewing and allocation process is in line with the recommendations of the Gauß-Allianz (de) for the establishment of nationally coordinated application and approval procedures as well as with the current regulations for NHR (Nationales Hochleistungsrechnen). The process of requesting computing time is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Chart of the application and approval process for HPC resources
Source: Recommendations of the Gauß-Allianz
The scope of the applications to be submitted and the scope for the evaluation, concerning, for example, the number and status of reviewers involved, depend on the volume of the computing time requested.
More details about the different project types can be found on IT Center Help.
The allocation process for computing resources for any computing project is supported by the JARDS software. The integrated allocation process makes it easier to provide users with the most suitable platform, which is kept up to date through a coordinated installation process .
With the start of operation of CLAIX and NHR, the "nationwide" line was introduced and thus the desired nationwide availability of Tier 2 centers achieved. Any researcher from a German research organization can submit an application for computing resources. After successful review, with the help of a coupon process, the applicant opens an account in RWTH's IdM system. He or she is able to invite further external individuals to participate in project work on the system.
In addition, small computing contingents for courses and final theses are also allocated on a project-specific basis, under the leadership of the lecturers or supervisors, so that resources can also be reliably provided on the Tier 3 system for this work.
The joint Resource Allocation Board (RAB) of NHR4CES well represents the community of users. This means that the awarding committee is composed of scientists from the main disciplines represented on the systems and that these steer the evaluation process.