Remote Visualization

Introduction

Running applications with graphic user interface (GUI) on HPRC clusters can be done through X11 forwarding. However, applications that require OpenGL 3D rendering will experience big delays since large amount of graphic data needs to be sent over the network to be rendered on your local machine. It is especially problematic if you connect to the cluster through TAMU VPN.

An alternative way of running such applications is through remote visualization; an approach that utilizes VNC and VirtualGL to run graphic applications remotely. Remote visualization is made simple by launching a VNC job through the TAMU OnDemand portal.

TAMU OnDemand

TAMU OnDemand is a web platform through which users can access HPRC clusters and services with a web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari). Its intuitive and easy-to-use interface allows new users to be instantly productive at using the HPRC resources for their research, and at the same time, provides an alternative convenient way for experienced users to access the HPRC resources. The portal has a flexible and extensible design that makes it easy to deploy new services as needed.

Access the TAMU OnDemand for Remote Visualization

All active users have access to TAMU OnDemand, you will be able to shell access all 3 clusters from there. Login with your NetID and password at the address:

 https://portal.hprc.tamu.edu

Select the cluster that you want to work on. You will be taken to the portal's homepage, then at the top, select 'Interactive Apps' and then 'VNC'. Fill in the appropriate job parameters and then launch the job.

This will start a Desktop with a terminal inside your browser window. Inside the terminal, you can type commands just like in a regular interactive login shell. You will be able to load the module for the GUI application you want to use and start the application. The GUI will show up inside the browser window.

NOTE: If you access the portal outside the TAMU network, VPN is required.