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The Social Science Computing Cluster

Northwestern University Information Technology
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Bruce Foster
Distributed Computing Architect Northwestern
University Information Technology Academic
Technologies Office University Library,
2East Email bef_at_northwestern.edu

Northwestern University Information Technology
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The Purpose

• Provide secure, scalable computing to the social
  sciences
• Wide variety of software
• Support use of large files, large file
  collections
• Fast network access
• Social Science Data Services Collection

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Hardware

• Dual-processor AMD Athlon 2400 nodes
• 2 GB memory, 200 GB disk on each
• Interactive nodes
• hardin
• seldon (used to submit batch cluster jobs)
• Batch cluster
• 16 nodes
• Networked File Service - 1,000 GB disk

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Software

• Linux RedHat Enterprise for Workstations
• Stata (Intercooled)
• GAUSS
• MATLAB
• SAS
• S-PLUS and R
• Stat/Transfer
• LISREL

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Interactive Use

• Network connection using Secure Shell
• Encrypted terminal session
• Encrypted file transfer
• Windows download SSH client from
  http//charlotte.at.northwestern.edu/bef/SSHDist.h
  tml
• X Windows client for Windows from
  http//avendesora.at.northwestern.edu/x-win32/

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Batch Cluster

• Sixteen dual-CPU nodes controlled by PBSPro
• Runs one job per CPU
• All jobs submitted from seldon command line
• Web-based job submission planned for development

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Why Use the Batch Cluster?

• Optimal scheduling of long jobs
• No interference with desktop computing
• Simultaneous execution of up to 8 jobs

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Cluster Dedication
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Getting Started

• Apply for account beginning October 4 at
  http//sscc.northwestern.edu
• Install SSH Secure Shell if youre a Windows user
• Linux/UNIX training will be announced