Exploring idea and value in moving select Chemistry clusters to CAC, from 248 Baker Lab.

Table of contents

Current purpose of this project, at this stage

• We are investigating the degree to which CAC can host our high-performance research compute clusters reliably and cost-effectively.

• The new system might be called, "Chemistry's Aggregated Cluster". Summary purpose Oliver submitted to CAC, 12/22/2016:

  • Duplicate and expand on current functionality of Chemistry's existing aggregated cluster serving multiple research groups. Each research group can access only their group's compute nodes, with sharing of nodes across groups only by permission.

  • Develop clear, robust, and affordable workflows for technical support (break/fix, enhancements, de-bugging, optimizing, and technical consultation), administrative support, and financial tracking and accounting between Chemistry researchers, Chemistry IT staff, and CAC staff.

CAC staff we have been meeting and working with

• Resa D. Reynolds <rda1>
  • https://www.cac.cornell.edu/Reynolds/
• Jodie Sprouse <jhs43>
  
  • https://www.cac.cornell.edu/sprouse/
• Brenda Lapp <bll3>
  
  • https://www.cac.cornell.edu/lapp/

CAC ticket tracking

• https://www.cac.cornell.edu/services/projects/manage.aspx
• Q: What "must" be in the ticket subject line so they know which project I'm writing about?

Notes

• Created project number and name within Chemistry IT's Project Excel sheet:

  • https://cornellprod.sharepoint.com/sites/AS/AIT/ChemIT/_layouts/15/start.aspx#/

• Created a project page within Chemistry IT's Project "ChemIT-Projects" OneNote repository.

History

1/31/17: Moved 5 nodes (1 head node, 4 compute nodes) to CAC. Once up-and-running, can arrange for clarifying software installations and Lulu's role in capsule development. Then, researcher testing.

1/13/17: Project

12/23/16: Kevin Ashman <kda1> provided CAC with all requested accounting information.

12/22/2016

• Oliver spoke to Lenetsky to open up a CAC Project so they can charge us.
  • Pre-approved up to $10,000 for set-up and testing. (N.B. $20K would be too high, for this stage of evaluation.)
• Sumitted CAC Project Request Form <https://www.cac.cornell.edu/services/Projects/Project.aspx>.
  • Some of the text I entered.

Fall 2016

• Started conversations on this topic, including with Chemistry researchers, CAC, and RedBarn.
• Created flyer.
• Consolidated 4 clusters under one head node (CLAW: Collum, Loring, Abruna, and Widom)

Sub-pages