The Center for High Performance Computing

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The Center for High Performance Computing

• A Resource for NDSU Researchers

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What is CHPC?

• The Center for High Performance Computing (CHPC)
  is a facility on the NDSU campus that was built
  with campus researchers in mind. For researchers
  who need high performance computing resources in
  order to further their research, the CHPC is here
  to serve their needs.

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What does it offer?

• 96-node/192 processor distributed memory Cluster
• Portland Group optimizing C, C
• FORTRAN compilers.
• TCP/IP and Myrinet based MPICH, TCP/IP based
  LAM-MPI.
• Schrödinger Molecular Simulation Software
• RedHat 9.0 Operating system
• MARC/MENTAT Finite Element Analysis Software
• Gaussian03
• NAMD
• ParaView (visualization software) coming soon.

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What does it offer? (cont)

• SGI Altix 12-processor shared-memory Server
• RedHat 7.2 Operating system
• Intel developed EPIC/VLIW optimized C, C
  FORTRAN compilers.
• Intel Tuning and Performance tools.
• SGI PRO-PACK support software.
• MPI
• MARC/MENTAT Finite Element Analysis
• Software
• GUASSIAN03/GaussView/TCP Linda
• Other Open Source Software (NEdit, Gnuplot)

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What does it offer? (cont)

• Oracle Server
• Oracle Database Enterprise Edition Release 2
  (license for unlimited users)
• Database set-up and administration assistance
  available.

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Staffing

• Director Bonnie Neas, Assistant Vice President
  for Federal Government Relations Internet
  Research
• Business Manager Becky Ackley
• Systems Administrator Contracted through ITS
  (currently staffed by Dr. Greg Wettstein)
• Graduate Assistants to assist with systems
  administration and help users who need scientific
  computing assistance.

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Where is it?

• The CHPC is located on the second floor in the
  Research 1 building within the Research
  Technology Park. Staff are also in the Research 1
  building.
• As the CHPC grows (with additional funding)
  expansion will take place into the Research 2
  building.

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Who can use it?

• Prospective CHPC users must apply for an account.
  To be approved the applicant must be
• an NDSU faculty or staff member
• a leading participant in a scientific project
  requiring advanced computing services OR
• "sponsored" by one of the above (such as
  students) for the purpose of working on a
  project. Students will be given access for one
  year. Their access may be renewed by his/her
  sponsor at that time.

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How do I apply?

• Enrollment is done online at http//www.ndsu.noda
  k.edu/chpc
• The following information must be provided on the
  online form
• Name
• NAID number
• IID name/number (e-mail address before the _at_)
• Title Department
• Brief Project Description
• Sponsor (if not the lead on a project or if you
  are a student)
• System(s) on which you want an account (SGI Altix
  or 96-node Cluster or BOTH)

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Who uses it now?

• As of January 2005, 64 individuals are enrolled
  performing work for about 26 projects
• These individuals are from such departments as
• Animal Sciences
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Pharmacy
• Physics
• Plant Sciences
• Sociology Anthropology
• Polymers Coatings
• Center for Nanoscale Science Engineering

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Work in progress

• The CHPC got its first round of funding in May
  2003 from the US General Services Administration
  (through September 2005). Future funding
  opportunities are currently being investigated.
• On November 3, 2003, the CHPC was live for
  users to begin utilizing its resources.
• Eight prominent faculty users currently comprise
  an Advisory Council intended to develop and
  approve policies to govern the use of the CHPC.
  Basic policies are in place, with more to be
  established in the near future.