Victorian Partnership for Advanced Computing

VPAC's Super Computers have significant differences from the desktop computer most researchers are familiar with. This course is designed to get new Users going as quickly as possible, by concentrating on basic skills and highlighting the areas of Advanced Computing that often confuse those new to this sort of technology.

This course is 'hands on'; most of the material presented is supported by exercises that the students are strongly encouraged to complete. Results are discussed with the presenter and other students.

This course is suitable for people who:

• Have limited experience with unix;
• Have lilttle or no experience on parallel computers;
• Intend to attend one of the more advanced courses or will be using precompiled applications only.

Guest accounts will be provided for attendees that do not have an account on a VPAC Super Computer, however, if you plan to get an account in the near future, please consider applying before the course and you will be able to use your own. Please mark on your account application forms that you will be attending this course and we will try and get your account created before hand.

Topics Covered

1. Introduction to VPAC

• Overview
• Programs
• Facilities
• Obtaining Accounts

2. VPAC's Facility

• Tools for connecting to the SC
• Connecting via SSH or X
• Transferring files (scp)
• Finding your way around the machine, cluster file systems, moving between nodes
• Editors
• Compiling serial and parallel programs
• Choosing the best way to run your programs
• Obtaining statistics about your jobs
• Getting assistance, logging questions, FAQ.

This course is free to staff and students at VPAC Member Universities, however, booking in advance is essential. Please book your place by selecting a session time or contact training@vpac.org or phone +61 3 9925 4410.