Difference between revisions of "Getting Started"

From UFRC
Jump to navigation Jump to search
 
(160 intermediate revisions by 13 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{|align=right
+
[[Category:Essentials]]
  |__TOC__
+
Welcome to UF Research Computing! This page is intended to help new clients getting started on HiPerGator use.
  |}
 
Welcome to UF Research Computing! This page is intended to help new or uninitiated users understand and user HiPerGator. Be sure to check out [https://wiki.rc.ufl.edu/doc/Training our training schedule] if you'd like help getting started in person!
 
==Account creation==
 
To get an account at the UF Research Computing, you need to read [https://www.rc.ufl.edu/about/policies/account/ UFRC Account Policy] and then [https://www.rc.ufl.edu/help/account-request/ submit an account request].
 
  
==Logging in==
+
Note that new users are highly encouraged to take the [[New_user_training|New User Training]] course to familiarize themselves with using a supercomputer for research, save time, and avoid many beginner mistakes.
Note that for any given command, <code><your_username></code> should be replaced with your GatorLink username.
 
  
For example, if your are referencing the command <code>ssh <your_username>@hpg2.rc.ufl.edu</code> and your Gatorlink username is '''smith''', you would use the command:
 
<pre style="width:80%;">ssh smith@hpg2.rc.ufl.edu</pre>
 
  
===Windows===
+
=From Zero to HiPerGator=
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:70%; padding: 5px; border: 2px groove black;">
+
===Initial Consult===
''Expand this section to view instructions for logging in with Windows.''
+
If a face-to-face discussion about the group's needs is needed you can [https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/UFITResearchComputingSupport@uflorida.onmicrosoft.com/bookings/ schedule an appointment] to [https://www.rc.ufl.edu/get-support/walk-in-support/ meet with one of the UF Research Computing Facilitators] face-to-face or virtually, or [https://support.rc.ufl.edu/ submit a support request to start the conversation].
<div class="mw-collapsible-content" style="padding: 5px;">
 
Since Microsoft Windows does not come with a built-in SSH client, you must download a client from the web.  
 
  
UFRC recommends using [http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty PuTTY] or [http://mobaxterm.mobatek.net/ MobaXterm].
 
  
'''PuTTY'''
+
For the initial interview we recommend prospective users to be ready to answer questions such as:
* [http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty Download PuTTY] to your local machine and start the program
 
* Configure PuTTY using the [[PuTTY|configuration instructions for UFRC]] .
 
* Select the connection you created in the previous step and click "Open"
 
* At the login prompt, enter your username (this should be the same as your GatorLink username)
 
* Enter your password when prompted. You are now connected and ready to work!
 
  
'''MobaXterm'''
+
* Does the data fall under FERPA, HIPAA, or another restricted classification?
* [http://mobaxterm.mobatek.net/ Download MobaXterm] to your local machine and start the program.
+
* Explain in simple words what your research is about.
* Click "Start local terminal"
+
* What file types will be processed initially?
* Open a terminal and run <code>ssh <your_username>@hpg2.rc.ufl.edu</code>
+
** Input files, average size of individual files, total amount of data in Gb/Tb, etc.
* Enter your password when prompted. You are now connected and ready to work!
+
* What software or pipeline is needed to process the files?
</div>
+
Define success for you:
</div>
+
* What is the expected output?
 
+
** Expected results, output file types and individual file size, amount of data produced after processing in Gb/Tb.
===Linux / Unix===
+
* Do you have any estimations on compute needs?
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:70%; padding: 5px; border: 2px groove black;">
+
* Are you or will you be working with external collaborators?
''Expand this section to view instructions for logging in with Linux/Unix.''
 
<div class="mw-collapsible-content" style="padding: 5px;">
 
Open a terminal and run
 
ssh <your_username>@hpg2.rc.ufl.edu
 
 
 
Enter your password when the prompt appears. You are now connected and ready to work!
 
</div>
 
</div>
 
  
===OS X===
+
===HiPerGator Accounts===
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:70%; padding: 5px; border: 2px groove black;">
+
====Sponsor Username and Group Creation====
''Expand this section to view instructions for logging in with OS X.''
+
The group's sponsor has to be the first person to [https://www.rc.ufl.edu/access/account-request/ request a HiPerGator account] indicating that they are a new sponsor. In the process we will create their sponsored group.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content" style="padding: 5px;">
 
For OS X users, connection instructions are very similar to those for Linux users.
 
  
'''Terminal''', the terminal emulation application for OS X, is located in the folder Applications/Utilities.
+
====User Account Creation====
 +
Group members will be able to [https://www.rc.ufl.edu/access/account-request/ submit HiPerGator account requests] indicating their PI as the sponsor. Once approved, their HPG Linux accounts will be created.
  
Start the Terminal application and run
+
====Joining a Group====
ssh <your_username>@hpg2.rc.ufl.edu
+
Once their HPG username is created users must [https://support.rc.ufl.edu submit a request] to be added to a sponsor's group. Once the sponsor or an assigned manager replies to the request with approval, the user is added to the requested group. Accounts can only be added to groups with active resource allocations (see below for details).
  
Enter your password when the prompt appears. You are now connected and ready to work!
+
[https://support.rc.ufl.edu Request to be added to a group]:
</div>
+
* Include the following in the Summary line: "Add [username] to [groupname] group".
</div>
+
* Include the reason in the request's description.
 +
* If possible, add your sponsor's email to the ticket's CC list.
  
==Transferring your files==
+
===Trial Allocation===
SFTP and Rsync file transfers should use the servers dedicated to these transfer types, which are <code>sftp.rc.ufl.edu</code> and <code>rsync.rc.ufl.edu</code> respectively.  
+
We recommend that the group's sponsor [https://gravity.rc.ufl.edu/access/request-trial-allocation/ request a '''free''' trial allocation] for storage and computational resources to get the group started on HiPerGator. Group members can then use HiPerGator for the 3 month duration of the trial allocation to figure out what resources and applications they really need.
  
If the above methods seem unfamiliar or intimidating, you probably want to use a graphical file transfer client. UF Research Computing recommends:
+
===Purchasing Resources===
* [https://filezilla-project.org/download.php?show_all=1 FileZilla] (Windows & OS X)
+
After or while the group uses a trial allocation to determine the computational and storage resources it needs the group's sponsor can submit a purchase request for [https://gravity.rc.ufl.edu/access/purchase-request/hpg-hardware/ hardware (5-years)] or [https://gravity.rc.ufl.edu/access/purchase-request/hpg-service/ services (3-months to longer)] to invest into the resources to cover the group's HiPerGator use.
* [http://winscp.net/eng/index.php WinSCP] (Windows)
 
* [http://cyberduck.ch/ Cyberduck] (OS X)
 
  
After downloading, configure the client to connect to <code>sftp.rc.ufl.edu</code>, using your username and password to log in.  
+
Some groups may have access to shared departmental allocations. In this case, instead of purchasing resources, group members can [https://support.rc.ufl.edu/ request] to be added to the departmental group to gain access to the shared resources.  
  
Globus is another mechanism for transferring data to and from HiPerGator. [[Globus|See the Globus page]] for setup and configuration information.  
+
Some examples of departments with shared allocations include the [http://ufgi.ufl.edu/ Genetics Institute], [http://epi.ufl.edu/ Emerging Pathogens Institute], [https://stat.ufl.edu/ Statistics Department], [http://biostat.ufl.edu/ Biostatistics Department], [https://www.eng.ufl.edu/ccmt/ Center for Compressible Multiphase Turbulence (CCMT)], [https://chp.phhp.ufl.edu/research/affiliated-centers/center-for-cognitive-aging-memory-cam/ Cognitive Aging and Memory Clinical Translational Research Program (CAMCTRP)], [https://efrc.ufl.edu/ Center for Molecular Magnetic Quantum Materials], [https://www.phys.ufl.edu/ Physics Department], and [https://plantpath.ifas.ufl.edu/ Plant Pathology Department]. In addition, several research groups working on collaborative projects have shared allocations accessible to members of those projects.
  
==Editing your files==
+
'''At this point a group is established on HiPerGator and can continue their computational work. See below for more details on the basic use.'''
Several methods exist for editing your files on the cluster.
 
===Native Editors===
 
* '''vi''' - The visual editor (vi) is the traditonal Unix editor; however, it is not necessarily the most intuitive editor. [http://www.eng.hawaii.edu/Tutor/vi.html View a tutorial for using vi]
 
* '''emacs''' - Emacs is a much heavier duty editor, but again has the problem of having commands that are non-intuitive. [http://www2.lib.uchicago.edu/~keith//tcl-course/emacs-tutorial.html View a tutorial for using emacs]
 
* '''pico''' - While pico is not installed on the system, nano is installed, and is a pico work-a-like.
 
* '''nano''' - Nano has a good bit of on-screen help to make it easier to use.
 
  
===External Editors===
+
=Using HiPerGator=
You can also use your favorite editor on your local machine, and then transfer the files to the cluster afterwards. One caveat to this is that files created on Windows machines usually contain unprintable characters, which may be misinterpreted by Linux command interpreters (shells). If this happens, there is a utility called <code>dos2unix</code> that you can use to convert the text file from DOS/Windows formatting to Linux formatting.
+
To use HiPerGator or HiPerGator-AI you must have basic understanding the following concepts:
 +
* Use the various [[HPG Interfaces]] to connect to the system.
 +
* See [[HPG Computation]] for an overview of running analyses on HiPerGator.
 +
* Read [[HPG Scheduling]] for an overview of managing resources in jobs.
 +
* Learn how to manage data on the filesystems in [[Storage]] and how to transfer it in or out in [[HPG Data Management]].
  
==Using installed software==
+
Click on the buttons below to explore.
We use [[Modules|Environment Modules]] to provide access to the installed software. Read about the [[Modules_Basic_Usage|basic usage of environment modules]] for information on loading software.
+
<div style = 'text-align: center;'>
 
+
[[Image:Interface.png|frameless|upright=1| link=HPG Interfaces]]
==Running graphical programs==
+
[[Image:Computation.png|frameless|upright=1|link=HPG Computation]]
Please see the [[GUI_Programs|Gui Programs]] page for information on running graphical user interface applications at UFRC.
+
[[Image:Scheduling.png|frameless|upright=1|link=HPG Scheduling]]
 
+
[[Image:Storage.png|frameless|upright=1|link=HPG Data Management]]
==Running jobs using SLURM==
+
</div>
See [[Sample_SLURM_Scripts]] for a simple SLURM job script example.
 
 
 
To submit a job script from one of login nodes via hpg2.rc.ufl.edu, you would use the following command:
 
<pre>
 
$ sbatch <your_job_script>
 
</pre>
 
To check the status of running jobs, you would use the following command:
 
<pre>
 
$ squeue [-u <your_username>]
 
</pre>
 
  
View [[SLURM_Commands]] for more useful SLURM commands.
+
=Getting help=
==Getting help==
+
If you are having problems using the UFRC system, try our resources at [https://help.rc.ufl.edu/doc/Category:Help Help] or let our staff know by submitting a [http://support.rc.ufl.edu support request].
If you are having problems using the UFRC system, please let the UFRC Staff know by submitting a [http://support.rc.ufl.edu support request].
 

Latest revision as of 17:56, 19 August 2024

Welcome to UF Research Computing! This page is intended to help new clients getting started on HiPerGator use.

Note that new users are highly encouraged to take the New User Training course to familiarize themselves with using a supercomputer for research, save time, and avoid many beginner mistakes.


From Zero to HiPerGator

Initial Consult

If a face-to-face discussion about the group's needs is needed you can schedule an appointment to meet with one of the UF Research Computing Facilitators face-to-face or virtually, or submit a support request to start the conversation.


For the initial interview we recommend prospective users to be ready to answer questions such as:

  • Does the data fall under FERPA, HIPAA, or another restricted classification?
  • Explain in simple words what your research is about.
  • What file types will be processed initially?
    • Input files, average size of individual files, total amount of data in Gb/Tb, etc.
  • What software or pipeline is needed to process the files?

Define success for you:

  • What is the expected output?
    • Expected results, output file types and individual file size, amount of data produced after processing in Gb/Tb.
  • Do you have any estimations on compute needs?
  • Are you or will you be working with external collaborators?

HiPerGator Accounts

The group's sponsor has to be the first person to request a HiPerGator account indicating that they are a new sponsor. In the process we will create their sponsored group.

User Account Creation

Group members will be able to submit HiPerGator account requests indicating their PI as the sponsor. Once approved, their HPG Linux accounts will be created.

Joining a Group

Once their HPG username is created users must submit a request to be added to a sponsor's group. Once the sponsor or an assigned manager replies to the request with approval, the user is added to the requested group. Accounts can only be added to groups with active resource allocations (see below for details).

Request to be added to a group:

  • Include the following in the Summary line: "Add [username] to [groupname] group".
  • Include the reason in the request's description.
  • If possible, add your sponsor's email to the ticket's CC list.

Trial Allocation

We recommend that the group's sponsor request a free trial allocation for storage and computational resources to get the group started on HiPerGator. Group members can then use HiPerGator for the 3 month duration of the trial allocation to figure out what resources and applications they really need.

Purchasing Resources

After or while the group uses a trial allocation to determine the computational and storage resources it needs the group's sponsor can submit a purchase request for hardware (5-years) or services (3-months to longer) to invest into the resources to cover the group's HiPerGator use.

Some groups may have access to shared departmental allocations. In this case, instead of purchasing resources, group members can request to be added to the departmental group to gain access to the shared resources.

Some examples of departments with shared allocations include the Genetics Institute, Emerging Pathogens Institute, Statistics Department, Biostatistics Department, Center for Compressible Multiphase Turbulence (CCMT), Cognitive Aging and Memory Clinical Translational Research Program (CAMCTRP), Center for Molecular Magnetic Quantum Materials, Physics Department, and Plant Pathology Department. In addition, several research groups working on collaborative projects have shared allocations accessible to members of those projects.

At this point a group is established on HiPerGator and can continue their computational work. See below for more details on the basic use.

Using HiPerGator

To use HiPerGator or HiPerGator-AI you must have basic understanding the following concepts:

Click on the buttons below to explore.

Interface.png Computation.png Scheduling.png Storage.png

Getting help

If you are having problems using the UFRC system, try our resources at Help or let our staff know by submitting a support request.