Introduction to HPRC Computing Resources

Overview

Instructor: Josh Winchell

Time: Friday, February 9, 2024 — 1:30PM-4:00PM CT

Location: Blocker 220

Prerequisites: Basic Linux/Unix skills, current HPRC account

Introduction to using HPRC clusters includes policies, hardware overviews, getting connected, file systems, computing environments, development environments, batch processing, and common problems.

This course is delivered in an interactive format - the instructor will tour practical examples using a live terminal, making sure attendees can execute the exercises on their own laptops.

Course Materials

Presentation slides

The presentation slides are available below:

  • Introduction to HPRC (Spring 2024): PDF

  • Introduction to HPRC (Fall 2023): PDF
  • Introduction to HPRC (Spring 2023): PDF
  • Introduction to HPRC (Fall 2022): PDF
  • Introduction to HPRC (Spring 2022): PDF

Further Reading

The material presented in the short course is referenced from the Terra and Grace User Guides.

Agenda

Outline of topics covered. Because of the interactive nature of this course, some of the topics listed below may be introduced in a different order and covered to different depths:

  • Usage Policies
  • Brief Introduction to Parallel Computing
  • Hardware Overview of Grace and Terra
  • Accessing Grace and Terra
    • File Transfers
    • File systems and User Directories
  • Computing Environment
    • Application Modules
    • Software
    • Development Environment - Toolchains
  • Compiling and Running Application Codes
    • Development Environment
  • Upcoming Programming Short Courses
  • Batch Processing on Grace and Terra
    • Batch Queues
    • Consumable Computing Resources
    • Batch Job Files
      • Mapping Job Requirements to Cluster Resources
      • Example Job Files
    • Job Submission and Monitoring
    • Debug job failures
    • Service Units (SU)
    • Job Environment Variables
    • Concurrent Program Execution in Jobs via TAMULauncher
  • Common Problems
  • Need Help?

Note: During the class sessions many aspects of the material will be illustrated live via logins to Grace and Terra. Attendees will complete the commands and exercises on their own laptops. They will need to configure their laptops to use the TAMU wireless network. Relevant details on this can be found at: https://it.tamu.edu/services/network-and-internet-access/wireless-connections/tamu-wifi/

You are encouraged to contact the HPRC helpdesk with any questions regarding Grace and Terra.