Cloud- and Grid-based Services

Today, high performance computing is not only a service exclusive for members of the local university. The continuously increase of resource requirements, especially in the field of computational science, and collaborative research environments need new qualities of connectivity of resources. Grid computing allows a worldwide usage of distributed resources. 

The PC˛ is involved in several initiatives to integrate its resources in regional and trans-regional alliances. Therefore, a PC˛ user is also able to get access to large external resources. Three alliances are addressed: Resource Alliance of North Rhine-Westphalia (RV-NRW), the German D-Grid Initiative, and the Gauss Alliance.

Two different software packages to access the grid resources of the PC˛ are in use. The Unicore gird software comes with a comfortable graphical user interface for job submission. Globus is the most popular grid middleware with a more complex user interface and several features to access and manage grid resources.

 

User Support

Installation of Unicore client:
Unicore is used as a Grid middleware which allows transparent access to resources at the PC˛. A Unicore client software has to be installed on the desktop or laptop of the user.

pc2-gurus(at)uni-paderborn.de

Installation of Globus Toolkit Software:
Globus Toolkit is used as a Grid middleware which allows transparent access to resources at the PC˛. A client side installation of Globus toolkit Software on a desktop or laptop must be done.

Usage of PC˛ Resources with Grid middleware:
Consultance and support for users of Unicore and Globus Toolkit client software is provided.

 

Besides consultance and support for users of PC˛ grid resources,  assistance for groups with local grid resources is offered. If you are interested in using grid technology on your compute server, please contact us.

 

Grid for Local Compute Servers

Installation and configuration of Unicore server:
Enable a compute server to be accessable via the grid middleware Unicore.

pc2-gurus(at)uni-paderborn.de

Installation and configuration of Globus Toolkit software:
Enable a compute server to be accessable via the grid middleware Globus Toolkit.

Support of grid middleware:
Assistance with the operation of grid middleware Unicore or Globus Toolkit Software.

A certificate complied to the standard X.509 is needed to use any kind of grid service. The PC˛ is a registration department for these grid certificates. Users can apply for a certificate at the PC˛.

 

Certificates

Certificate used in D-Grid:
The PC˛ operates a "Registration Authority" (RA). Members of the University of Paderborn can apply for a certificate which can be used within the D-Grid Initative.

grid-ra(at)uni-paderborn.de

User Certificate:
The PC˛ is involved in several national and international projects as a resource provider. Therefore the systems of the PC˛ can be accessed with certificates of different certification authorities.

Bernard Bauer
Holger Nitsche

Computer Certificate:
To provide a grid service, like a compute server,  a certificate for your system is needed.  The PC˛ can help to apply for a certificate that has to be installed.

Bernard Bauer
Holger Nitsche

HPC Systems & Services