Conducting cutting-edge research on DiRAC or any HPC facility requires a fair and efficient approach to sharing computational resources. This is achieved through batch systems like SLURM, a powerful workload manager that orchestrates job submissions and resource allocation. To unlock the full potential of these systems, researchers must understand how SLURM works and how to use it effectively.
This course is designed to provide you with the essential skills to run research codes on the DiRAC systems. You’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the batch queuing system, the critical role of job scripts, and how to configure the runtime environment to ensure your jobs execute flawlessly.
What you will achieve
By the end of this course, you will:
- Understand and utilise the SLURM job queuing system: Grasp the fundamentals of job scheduling and its importance in HPC environments.
- Submit, monitor, and manage jobs: Learn how to interact with SLURM to effectively control your computational tasks.
- Prepare job environments using module commands: Master the use of modules to load necessary software and libraries within your job scripts.
- Run various HPC job types: Develop expertise in running different job styles—including serial, multi-threaded, MPI-based, array, and interactive jobs—tailored to the unique demands of HPC research.
Step into this course to elevate your computational research and take command of SLURM to achieve more with DiRAC systems. Whether you’re optimising simulations, analysing massive datasets, or running innovative models, this is your gateway to success in high-performance computing.
Requirements: Participants must have access to a computer with a Mac, Linux, or Windows operating system (not a tablet, Chromebook, etc.) that they have administrative privileges on. They should have a few specific software packages installed (listed below).
HPC Access: It is expected that DiRAC users connect to their allocated system. If you experience any issues please contact us and we will try to help. Non-DiRAC users are welcome to use this material, but they will have to use their own system.
Accessibility: We are dedicated to providing a positive and accessible learning environment for all. Please get in touch if you require any accommodations or if there is anything we can do to make this lesson more accessible to you.
Contact: Please email richard.regan@durham.ac.uk for more information.
