Overview of computing at NCAR -
Table of contents

Last update: 05/07/2008

This document introduces basic concepts about supercomputing at NCAR, and it provides some links to more detailed documents. An extensive list of links for people computing at NCAR appears at NCAR computers: Complete user information.

Introduction to the purpose and intended use of NCAR's computing facility

Purpose and use of the production supercomputing systems
Purpose and use of the data analysis and visualization systems
Purpose and use of the Mass Storage System (MSS)
Purpose and use of the research data archive

Obtaining computing services

Obtaining an account for using computing resources
    Passwords and accounts must not be shared
    Accounts for university users
    Accounts for Climate Simulation Laboratory users
    Accounts for NCAR users and joint university-NCAR project users
Accessing a computer

Computer security enhancements

UNIX familiarity is required

SCD documentation catalog provides excellent UNIX references

Accessing computing services

Security requirements
    SSH - Secure Shell
Logging in interactively
Remote access
    Access via the internet using SSH
    Access via phone lines - dialup to the RAS
    Access via the proxy gateway
Local access
Accessing the compute servers
Accessing the data analysis and visualization systems
Accessing the MSS

Transferring files

Using sftp (secure file transfer protocol) at NCAR
Copying files using secure copy (scp)
Using the FTP proxy from an NCAR supercomputer
Transferring files to and from the Mass Storage System (MSS)
Access for unattended file transfers

Designing and implementing programs for supercomputers

Overview of parallel computing
Programming issues for NCAR supercomputers
    Parallel programming is required for high performance computing
        Parallel programming paradigms
        Two parallel programming paradigms: threads and message passing
        Hierarchical memory management and caching
Compiled languages
    Fortran, multiple versions
    C
    C++
Reference: Designing and Building Parallel Programs

Mathematical and statistical libraries

netCDF - Interface for data access
Converting from Cray-style datasets to IEEE format

Tools to support code development

Program development in the UNIX environment
    vi, emacs - Editing files
    gmake - Generating executables
    tar - Concatenating files for transfer
    compress, gzip - Reducing file size
    cvs - Controlling code versions
    Other tools - Perl, Python, TOOLNAMES
Debugging codes
    TotalView
    Vampir

Tools for processing and visualizing data

NCAR Graphics
NCL, the NCAR Command Language
Other tools - Matlab, Mathematica, IDL, Vis5D, Gvolsh, Yorick

Running programs on supercomputers

Running batch jobs
Running codes interactively

Working with SCD Consulting Services

Getting the most from your consulting support

Documentation supporting NCAR supercomputer users

NCAR computers: Complete user information
    SCD user documentation catalog
Getting started on bluevista
The IBM SP-cluster systems user documentation set
IBM Linux cluster system fundamentals
SGI Origin 3800 tempest getting started guide

Overview of computing at NCAR - Table of contents

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