Scientific Computing Facilities Resource Requests

This page contains pointers to Web-based forms which may be used to renew existing projects, add/delete users to/from existing projects, create new projects, and request additional resources on SCV supported systems.

We also have a page where current principal investigators and users can monitor their projects/accounts.

Current Principal Investigators with existing projects should follow the update/renewal pointer below to access forms to add/delete users, update projects, or request additional processor time or project disk space on the IBM Blue Gene, IBM pSeries (p690 and p655) systems, the Katana Cluster, or the Linux Cluster.

• Principal Investigators may
  • update/renew their projects,
  • add users to their projects,
  • request additional CPU time or
  • request a Project Disk Space allocation.
• Boston University faculty and research staff may apply for a new project.
• All Principal Investigators should read the information for new Principal Investigators.
• All account holders should read the information for new SCF users.
• Any account holder may request additional home directory disk space or other resources other than CPU allocation increases on an SCV supported system.
• The IBM Blue Gene system went into production use on October 1, 2006. However, users were not automatically given access to the machines, due to special rules that apply to this system. External users will continue to need to submit identity documentation (such as a passport) to us and both internal and external users will need to fill out a web form. Anyone who wishes access should go here (accessing this page will require your SCF/Twister login and password) and then submit the Update Personal Information form and also follow the identity information instructions on it if you are not a current BU student, faculty, or staff member.

Note:
Researchers who are applying for a project on the the IBM p690, IBM p655, Pentium III Linux Cluster or IBM BlueGene facilities need only fill out the above web forms. We no longer utilize paper forms to apply for access to any of our facilities.

Note on Boston University ID numbers
Many of the forms will ask for your Boston University ID number. If you are a member of the BU community or have previously been given a BU ID number, please enter your University ID number. If you do not have a BU ID number, we will issue you a BU ID number which you should keep a record of. All ID numbers are treated confidentially.

Brief instructions on using the forms to maintain existing projects and create new ones

Applying to have a new project created on the SCF

If you are a current BU faculty or research staff member you should go here and fill out the form. Fill out all requested information, even if you are already a Principal Investigator on another project. Carefully read any messages you get back after clicking on Submit to make sure your submission was accepted. Your account will be created on the IBM p690, IBM p655, Katana Cluster, and Intel Pentium III Linux Cluster. Once your project has been approved, you will appear on the Principal Investigator (PI) list and through this you will be able to add additional user accounts to your project.

Renewing an existing project

Principal Investigators should go here, select your login id from the list, enter your SCF (i.e. Twister) login name and password when requested, select the "Renew" option for the project you wish to renew and then fill out the form. Select Active on the form to have your project continue. Also, indicate which of your current users are still on your project and answer all other questions on the form. Projects must be renewed once a year.

Adding a user to an existing project

Principal Investigators should go here, select your login id from the list, enter your SCF (i.e. Twister) login name and password when requested, select the appropriate "Add User" option for the project you wish to add someone to and then fill out the form. Enter the name of the person you wish to add, his/her BUID, login name and other requested information. Carefully read any messages you get back after clicking on Submit to make sure your submission was accepted. Accounts are created on the IBM p690, IBM p655, Katana Cluster, and Intel Pentium III Linux Cluster.

Deleting users from an existing project

Principal Investigators should go here, select your login id from the list, enter your SCF (i.e. Twister) login and password when requested, select the "Delete users" option for the project you wish to delete user(s) from and then fill out the form. For each person you wish to delete, simply change the indicator under "Delete User?" from No to Yes. You may also use this form to (un)set the expiration date for each user on your project. Note that your own name will not be included on the list as we generally require Principal Investigators to have an account on their own project.

Getting access to the IBM BlueGene system

The IBM Blue Gene system is in production use as of October 1, 2006. However, users were not automatically given access to the machines, due to special rules that apply to this system. External users will continue to need to submit identity documentation (such as a passport) to us and both internal and external users will need to fill out a web form.
Current SCF users should go here (accessing this page will require your SCF/Twister login and password) and then submit the Update Personal Information form and follow the identity information instructions on it if you are not a current BU student, faculty, or staff member.

Change (or create) an expiration date for a user on one of your projects

Principal Investigators should go here, select your login id from the list, enter your SCF (i.e. Twister) login name and password when requested, select either the "Delete users" or "Renew/Change Project" option from the list, and then fill out the form. Either of these forms will allow you to alter or create an expiration date for a user on your project. The "Delete users" form is somewhat simpler to use. This allows you to note in advance that a user will only be on your project for a limited period of time (for example, only during the summer).

Requesting additional CPU allocation for an existing project

Principal Investigator should go here, select your login id from the list, enter your SCF (i.e. Twister) login name and password when requested, select the "Request additional CPU allocation" option from the list, and then fill out the form. This form should be used to request additional CPU allocation beyond the amount you initially requested when you created (or last renewed) the project. These requests will be reviewed and you should make sure to fully fill out the form with the reasons for your request.

Request general /project disk space for an existing project

Principal Investigator should go here, select your login id from the list, enter your SCF (i.e. Twister) login name and password when requested, select the "Request project disk space" option from the list, and then fill out the form. This form should be used to request new or additional /project disk space for those projects which require large quantities of disk space beyond what their users' home directories will support. These requests will be reviewed and you should make sure to fully fill out the form with the reasons for your request. Additional information on this disk space is available.

Requesting other additional resources on an SCV supported machine

All users can go here and fill out the form. Indicate what machine you are requesting the change on and detailed information on what additional resources you need and why. These requests are not guaranteed to be approved and are looked at on a case by case basis depending on your needs and our resources. Requests can be made by any person who has an account on an SCV supported system.