Introduction to Livermore Computing Resources

Table of Contents

  1. Abstract
  2. Terminology
  3. Organization
  4. The Hardware
    1. Systems Summary
    2. IBM Systems
    3. Intel Systems
    4. Compaq Systems
  5. Accounts
  6. Accessing LC Systems
    1. Machine Names
    2. Login Nodes
    3. Passwords
    4. Internet Access Services
    5. Access Methods
    6. A Few More Words About SSH
    7. SecureNet
  7. User Environment Topics
    1. Login Files
    2. Home Directories
    3. On-line Backups for /g Directories
    4. Temporary File Systems
    5. Parallel File Systems
    6. Archival Storage
    7. Quotas
    8. File Systems Summary
    9. File Transfer and Sharing
    10. File Interchange System (FIS)
    11. Mail
  8. Software and Development Environment
  9. Running Jobs
  10. LCRM
  11. Video and Graphic Services
  12. Security Reminders
  13. Where to Get Information & Help




Abstract


This tutorial provides an overview of Livermore Computing's (LC) supercomputing resources and how to effectively use them. It is definitely intended as a "getting started" document for new users or for those who want to know "in a nutshell" what supercomputing at LC is all about from a practical user's perspective. It is also intended as the first presentation in a 4+ day, hands-on workshop that covers in great detail parallel programming on LC's supercomputing systems.

A wide variety of topics are covered in what is hopefully, a logical progression, starting with a description of the LC organization, a summary of the available supercomputing hardware resources, how to obtain an account and how to access LC systems. Important aspects concerning the user environment are then addressed, such as the user's home directory, various files and file systems, how to transfer/share files, quotas and archival storage. A brief description of the software development environment (compilers, debuggers, and performance tools), a summary of video and graphics services, how to run jobs and a few security reminders follow. Finally, this tutorial concludes with a discussion on where to obtain more information and help.

Level/Prerequisites: Some basic knowledge of high-end computing systems, particularly parallel computing, would be useful, but certainly not required. This tutorial is geared to new users of such systems and might actually be considered a prerequisite for using LC systems and other tutorials intended to follow parallel programming on LC systems in more detail.



Terminology


"The acronyms can be a bit overwhelming"
- Excerpt from a workshop attendee evaluation form

A more complete list of acronyms can be found at http://www.llnl.gov/computing/hpc/documentation/acronyms.html. A very succinct subset that is relevant to this tutorial appears below.



Organization



The Hardware

Systems Summary



The Hardware

IBM Systems

Overview:

System Details: (production systems)



The Hardware

Intel Systems

Overview:

System Details: (production systems)



The Hardware

Compaq Systems

Overview:

System Details:



Accounts





Accessing LC Systems

Machine Names

Naming Conventions:

Examples:



Accessing LC Systems

Login Nodes

Where Do I Login? Login Node Summary:

Accessing LC Systems

Passwords

DCE Passwords (SCF only):

One-time Passwords (OCF and SCF):



Accessing LC Systems

Internet Access Services

Categories of Access:

Services Available:

For Help and More Information:



Accessing LC Systems

Access Methods

The llnl.gov Firewall:

SSH Required:

OCF Access:

SCF Access:

Tri-lab Exceptions:

SCP versus FTP:

SSH and SCP Examples:

Web Page Access:



Accessing LC Systems

A Few More Words About SSH

OpenSSH:

RSA/DSA Authentication:

SSH Hints:

Need SSH?

More Information:



Accessing LC Systems

SecureNet



User Environment Topics

Login Files

LC's Login Files:

Master Dot Files:

Architecture Specific Dot Files:

Need a New Copy?



User Environment Topics

Home Directories



User Environment Topics

On-line Backups for /g Directories



User Environment Topics

Temporary File Systems



User Environment Topics

Parallel File Systems

IBM Systems - GPFS:

Linux Systems:

Compaq Systems:



User Environment Topics

Archival Storage

Access Methods:



User Environment Topics

Quotas

Warning!

Exceeding quota:

  • Warning appears in login messages if usage over 90% quota
  • Heed quota warnings!
  • Risk of data loss if quota is exceeded!



User Environment Topics

File Systems Summary



User Environment Topics

File Transfer and Sharing

File Transfer:

File Sharing:



User Environment Topics

File Interchange System (FIS)



User Environment Topics

Mail



Software and Development Environment


DEG:

Software Documentation:

Software List:



Running Jobs


Types of Jobs and Where to Run:

Interactive vs. Batch:

What About the Details?

Dedicated Application Time (DAT):



LCRM



Video and Graphic Services


The services and software provided by the Information Management and Graphics Group (IMGG) are discussed below.

Video Production:

Consulting:

Visualization Machine Resources:

PowerWalls:

Contacts & More Information:



Security Reminders


Just a Few Reminders...

For the Full Story:

Where to Get Information & Help


LC Hotline:

LC Users Home Page:

Most Important and Time Critical Information:

Miscellaneous Documentation:

LC User Meeting:


This completes the tutorial.

Evaluation Form       Please complete the online evaluation form.

Where would you like to go now?





Author: Blaise Barney, Livermore Computing. Always interested in comments/corrections!