HPC cluster (supercomputer)
A High-Performance Computing (HPC) cluster consists of several compute nodes interconnected by a fast computer network (e.g., InfiniBand). Compute nodes are individual servers within the cluster that perform computational tasks. HPC clusters can be used for parallel computing, executing a complicated task simultaneously on several compute nodes, and distributed computing, performing smaller independent tasks on separate nodes or processor cores. HPC cluster allows solving complex problems faster and has the ability to tackle larger datasets. Multiple users can work concurrently, each with their own computing tasks and workflows, and within their working directory to store data.
Apply for HPC
To receive access to the HPC cluster RUDENS
research groups, course instructors, and individual students working on thesis/research must fill in the APPLICATION FORM. After receiving the application, the HPC Centre will review it and contact you on the following steps.
students involved in the study course and need HPC as part of their course curriculum should receive an invitation from their course instructor.
Get access to the HPC cluster RUDENS
After the application is approved, you will receive an email inviting you to participate in a project in the Waldur self-service portal. You may also receive an email even if you didn’t apply for HPC yourself, but your project leader or course instructor has invited you. Note that the invitation will expire in 2 weeks.
In the portal, you will acquire an account on the HPC cluster.
Connect to Waldur self-service portal
Follow the link to the National Open HPC Platform: https://nohap.hpc-net.lv
Please start by clicking on [Sign in with RTU HPC]
By selecting MyAccessID method, you should be able to authenticate with your university login details or eEIDAS.
In MyAccessID window under “Login with” search for your university’s identity provider.
In case of the Riga Technical University, select identity provider “Riga Technical University (Office 365)”.
Similar to University of Latvia
and Riga Stradiņš University
You will be redirected to your organizations identity provider authorization portal, in this case RTU ORTUS. Please follow all authentication steps begining with your login:
Later confirm authentication by scrolling down MyaccessID warning message:
After successful authentication you will be asked to confirm[ACCEPT] you name and email in Waldur system profile:
Invite participants
In order to invite participants to the Project/Study course you must have at least Manager role in this Project.
Follow these steps to get to invitation form:
Then fill invitation form with members’ email address[4.] and propper role[5.] in project - “member” in this case.
With + button you can add additional participants to this invitation session.
Last activity is to add custom message to invitation email, then submit[9.] to finish invitation procedure.
Request HPC resource (allocation)
You must belong to a project/study course to perform this step.
First, check whether your project already has active HPC allocation. Usually, there should be only one active allocation per project that all project members can use. Go to Project view and check the Resources section for the existing “RTU HPC (RUDENS)” resource (alllocation).
Allocation is a certain amount of computing resources (CPU hours, GPU hours, memory) that is allocated for project use, and it is expressed in its price in EUR. Initial credit (EUR) is deposited when HPC service is obtained through the Marketplace. If allocated credit is spent, you may request a new allocation or extend the existing one by depositing additional funds. Note that it is virtual credit that sets resource usage limits; it is not the front payment. Real money is charged only according to actual use and according to an agreement with the HPC center.
To start using the HPC cluster, press on the allocated resource name (in the example, “HPC cluster allocation”). In the resource view, you will get additional information about your username and access details.
Request new HPC resource. If your project doesn’t have active HPC allocation, you can request it through the marketplace. Press the Add resource button and look for RUDENS (RTU HPC) offering.
By pressing Deploy, the form will open where you should specify your deposit (in EURs) and an arbitrary name for the resource. Then press Create, and the request will be submitted to the RTU HPC center for review and approval.
Connect to the HPC cluster
Users access the HPC cluster RUDENS remotely using secure shell (SSH) protocol. Work with the cluster occurs via a dedicated server (login node) with the Linux command-line interface and job management tools.
You need an SSH key to connect to the RUDENS login node. Passwords are not supported for the accounts requested through the self-service portal. If you don’t have an SSH key, you can generate one using instructions in SSH Academy or our HPC user-guide.
Before connection, your SSH public key must be uploaded to the Waldur self-service portal.
Go to the top right of the screen and click on your name to open the account window.
Click on the
Credentialslink to open a sub-menu where you can selectSSH keys.Copy contents of your public SSH key.
Wait a few minutes while the key is synchronized to the cluster.
On Linux/macOS systems, if the generated keys are stored in the default directory ~/.ssh/, connect to a cluster by using the Access resource button in the self-service portal or manually open the command line (terminal) and run the following command:
ssh username@ui-2.hpc.rtu.lv
For Windows SSH clients, such as Putty or MobaXterm, the path to private key file must be specified in the connection settings.
For Putty: click
Connection=>SSH=>Auth=>Browsefor the private keyFor MoabXterm: click
Settings=>Configuration=>SSHtab => in the agent section click on the+sign to import your private key
In the Session sectoin specify your username and the login node Host name as shown in the example. We recomend saving the session for future use.
Note: if the login node requests the password during connection, your SSH key is not recognized or configured correctly.
Start using the HPC cluster
Follow the link to the user guide on using the HPC cluster RUDENS.
HPC demo-cases
Reusable examples (with codes) of HPC applications in various scientific domains: https://gitlab.com/eurocc-latvia.
Assessment of Wind Loads Using HPC
Building Management System AI Model
Crystal Growth
Dielectric Constant Measurement Uncertainty Estimation using HPC
Estimation of RF to DC Converter Power Conversion Efficiency Sensitivity to Component Parameters
HPC Array Job Example
Metagenomic analysis
Metal Casting HPC Model
MHD Mixing HPC Model
Microchannel Flow in a Heated Plate
Oceanographic HPDA
Room Thermal Comfort and Epidemiological Safety
Seasonal Weather Forecast HPDA
Demonstrations are prepared by EuroCC National HPC Competence Centre of Latvia.