Skip to content

Getting Started with ACCESS

Apply for an ACCESS ID

ACCESS is a national program through which researchers can apply to use computing resources at many different institutions. Read more about ACCESS itself on this page.

The ACES, FASTER, and Launch clusters can be used via ACCESS. To do so, start by getting an ACCESS ID. Follow this guide to complete the steps. Try to complete all the steps in a single session; incomplete registration breaks the system.

Two Registration Options

Please apply for an ACCESS ID at the ACCESS New User page.

On this page, there are two ways to proceed (numbered 1 and 2). Option 1 (“Register with an existing identity”) is the better option, but it's not available to all researchers. To determine if option 1 is available to you, click on option 1 and give it a try. If it doesn't work, go back and choose option 2.

access-select-identity

Click on option 1 (“Register with an existing identity”) to determine if your institution is supported.

access-newuser-options

On the next page, look for your institution in the drop-down list. If it’s not there, go back and select option 2.

access-institution-dropdown

If you chose option 1, log in with your institution's single sign-on.

The remaining steps in this guide assume you are using option 2.

Create your ACCESS ID

Fill in your details and proceed through the next several steps.

access-begin-registration

access-personal-info

Begin typing your home institution and then select it from the drop-down menu. If your home institution does not appear, click "I cannot find my organization" to request that it be added to this list.

access-home-institution

access-agreement

Your email must be verified. Watch for an email and proceed through the next several steps.

access-email-sent

access-email-recieved

You will be assigned an ACCESS ID that is related to your first and last name. For example, John Doe might be assigned an ID of jdoe1.

Choose a password.

access-password

Set up Authentication

How to Login

Attempt to log in to any ACCESS page. For example, access-ci.org. You will select an identity provider depending on how you registered. access-select-identity

  • If you chose option 1 (Existing identity), choose your home institution from the drop-down menu. It will redirect you to your home institution's single sign-on.
  • If you chose option 2, choose ACCESS CI (XSEDE) from the dropdown menu. Use your ACCESS ID and password.

access-select-identity

Two-factor Authentication

If you chose option 2 or if your institution doesn’t support two-factor authentication, you will be required to choose a two-factor authentication method.

ACCESS may automatically prompt you to begin this process. Instructions can also be found on ACCESS MFA Management page.

access-begin-duo

We recommend using the Duo Mobile option with your phone for this purpose.

access-duo-options

Provide a phone number to prove that you own it.

access-duo-install

We recommend installing the Duo Mobile App on your phone.

access-duo-install

Use the QR code to link your Duo Mobile App to your ACCESS account.

access-duo-link

access-duo-test

Test your authentication method by clicking continue, then send yourself a Duo Push.

access-duo-test

Troubleshooting ACCESS ID

Get Help

If you run into issues during this process, please submit a ticket using the form at https://identity.access-ci.org/help. Also, please send us an email at help@hprc.tamu.edu to let us know if you have done this.

Forgot ACCESS ID

If you can log in to the main ACCESS portal (access-ci.org) but aren’t sure what your ACCESS ID is, you can check by viewing your profile under My ACCESS -> Edit profile (sometimes you have to click this menu twice to get to the profile).

access-duo-test

Get Onto a Cluster through ACCESS

Once your ACCESS ID is set up and you are able to log in, there are two main ways you may get onto one of the ACCESS-linked clusters:

  • Temporary access will be granted when you sign up for one of our short courses or other training events.
  • More generally, you will apply for an ACCESS 'allocation'. This will grant you some number of ACCESS Credits, which you would then exchange for resource time on the cluster of your choice.

There are several levels of ACCESS allocations (note that certain clusters only accept a subset of these allocation levels). If you're not sure where to start, the smallest option, "Explore," is good for testing resources or doing small-scale experiments. There is an approval process, but smaller allocations such as these are reviewed as they arrive and so can be processed fairly quickly.

Note: most ACCESS users will want to use the ACES or FASTER clusters. The Launch cluster also uses ACCESS, but is primarily for use by institutions affiliated with the Texas A&M University System.