Advanced Compute Request Guidelines

AHPC advanced compute requests panel, Newcastle University

Advanced computing equipment is at the core of many of our research efforts across all faculties. Such equipment is diverse, and there is a clear need to identify the right equipment and the right management procedures to support different research areas and compute solutions to match their specific needs. At the same time such equipment requires additional provisions that goes beyond those required for standard IT equipment. Not only is it more expensive (the equipment itself and its associated warranties), but it requires specialised administrative support. For this reason, NU is implementing a thorough process for procuring its new central HPC equipment (details in the appendix), designed to fit the needs of as many researchers as possible in a cost-effective manner. At the same time, we recognise that this system may not be suitable for the needs of everybody, and hence we have designed these guidelines to process requests for advanced computing equipment.

Requests for advanced computing resources can be submitted using a form that has been designed to capture the set of requirements for advanced computing equipment:

• forms.office.com

The form has been designed to be light-touch while providing enough information to evaluate whether the compute requirements requested can be fulfilled by our central infrastructure and provide the essential context for the request (e.g. urgency). The requirements captured by this form are evaluated by a panel that includes both NUIT representatives and the University Directors for Advanced and High Performance Computing. Based on the information provided in the form, the panel will issue a recommendation (details below). If there is disagreement in relation to this recommendation, then a more detailed dialogue with key members of the panel will be initiated to ensure that the needs of the user, but also the rationale for the panel’s decision are fully understood.

• Faculty Dean of Research (Chair)
• Director of Advanced and High-Performance Computing (COMP)
• Director of Advanced and High-Performance Computing (SENG)
• Advanced Computing Representative (FMS)
• Advanced Computing Representative (HaSS)
• Head of RSE
• Senior RSE for HPC
• Chief Information Security Officer (NUIT)
• Head of IT Consultancy & Academic Support (NUIT)

Researchers are asked to submit their requirements well in advance of the time they need the compute solution requested using the online form (Advanced Computer Request (office.com)). This would include engaging with the panel prior to submitting research proposals where funding for advanced and high-performance research computing resources will be included to ensure that funding for the most appropriate solution is requested in the proposal and costed correctly. The panel will work with researchers to ensure that the solution offered is compliant with funder and procurement requirements and can be readily implemented.

It is recognised that these areas have specific needs that are not easy to deliver in a centralised HPC infrastructure, namely the need to sandbox computing environments to safely develop new algorithms without disrupting the rest of the shared computing infrastructure. Hence in these scenarios the recommendation is likely to be purchase of non-standard computing equipment matching the specific needs of the research. In such cases the responsible researcher will be expected to properly administer the machine and keep its operating system up to date, especially in relation to cybersecurity protection. Staff must also ensure that NUIT personnel can access the machine if urgently needed.

1. Where possible, this research should use the University AHPC systems or external facilities that the AHPC service can facilitate. This includes but is not limited to, the Comet HPC service, external HPC systems or public cloud services. Support will be provided by the University HPC team to facilitate implementation of solutions in this way.
2. Minor Changes to Existing Resources: If a request can be accommodated with minor changes to the existing University AHPC systems, we will pursue this option. This also includes the Comet HPC service. The new AHPC system will have dedicated personnel to support such changes.
3. Additions to Existing Resources: Where necessary, we will consider adding equipment or services to the existing University AHPC systems. This might involve purchasing additional equipment or software for the Comet HPC service, funded by the individual(s) making the request. The PI who has obtained external funding for new resources related to a specific project to be added to Comet will have preferential access to the resource that their funding has purchased.
4. Alternative Solutions: If the above principles cannot accommodate the request, we will explore the most appropriate solution that meets the user requirements. This might involve additional local compute equipment, again subject to appropriate system administration arrangements to ensure the necessary cybersecurity standards are met.

If a decision is made to procure non-standard equipment for any of the above scenarios, it is the responsibility of the researchers to cover its costs.

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