Application and approval procedure on Level 2
A structured application and approval procedure is a necessary tool for ensuring scientific quality regarding access to HPC resources. To optimize the use of limited HPC resources, the projects are evaluated technically and scientifically based on criteria such as scientific quality and required resources. Technical requirements are taken into consideration in order to select target architectures and environments.
Within the Gauß Alliance, the nationwide Tier-2 centers have developed joint and approved recommendations regarding application and approval procedures to provide structured access.
An implementation of these recommendations within the Tier-2 centers in NRW makes it possible to standardize access, for example by using the same software and their joint development and configuration. In the context of hpc.nrw, the application and assessment software developed at the GCS will be deployed at the Tier-2 centers in NRW with mutual support services. Interested Tier-3 centers are also supported.
The layout of the project classes offered at the individual centers takes place after specialization of the three locations so that a clear access route is developed for the users that can be presented in a guideline (Quick Reference Card, see below). The HPC competence network enables long-term assurance of quality in the appraisal as well as a corresponding reporting and accounting.
In the realization of hpc.nrw, the implementation of the aforementioned recommendations and quality standards will be ensured as a part of the cooperation between the three Tier-2 centers and in coordination with the Gauß Alliance and the Gauß Center for Supercomputing.
Permeability between Levels 2 and 3
In order to increase the permeability between Level 3 and 2, users are supported in applying for Level 2 centers (or higher). This includes support for proving the scalability of the application, using the results of work package 2 (profiling, monitoring and performance analysis). These measures promote a successful application in accordance with the requirements of the DFG and the above-mentioned common criteria.
To ensure basic services for sites without Tier-3 capacity and the universities of applied sciences, the Tier-2 centers offer a standardized, structured access for HPC users of all universities in NRW. The necessary measures, such as identity management, provisioning and project management, will be coordinated between the centers so that a clear guideline can be created and published here as well. In addition, the needs of smaller computing projects with short-term start as well as in teaching are supported through according project classes. All centers offer consulting services for locations without centers.
Reporting and accounting
With the nationwide development of high performance computing in mind, a joint reporting and accounting of Level 2 centers regarding the use of HPC systems by local, regional and nationwide users will be established in NRW. This will facilitate the support for the expected reporting and accounting requirements for Tier-2 centers.
The reporting and accounting will enable reports, which meet the requirements of the NHR process. In particular, a breakdown of the utilization of HPC systems by project category, by discipline based on DFG classification and by simulation software is developed. The obtained data will be used to further refine the project layout (also between the centers) and to further develop the HPC system environment, as well as for the consideration of user needs for sizing and architecture selection in purchase procedures.
The Level 3 centers develop common criteria for a slim but meaningful reporting. The aim is to provide comparable reports on the use of the systems.