Access to remote computer facilities, such as the NSF-sponsored supercomputer centers (including the San Diego Supercomputer Center) is available via UCSF's Internet connection. Specific procedures for requesting computer resources at SDSC are described below.
UCSF maintains a "Block Grant" of computer time (IBM RS/6000 SP and Cray T3E processor hours, or SU's) at the San Diego Supercomputer Center to support instruction and research within the UCSF academic community. Professor Thomas Ferrin (tef@cgl.ucsf.edu) is responsible for the administration of this grant. The supercomputer resources available at SDSC are listed here.For the purpose of spreading supercomputer access to the widest possible academic community and at the same time supporting ongoing research within the limits of the UCSF Block Grant allocation, the following application procedures have been instituted. The UCSF Block Grant now supports three types of supercomputer access:
Account Type Max SP/T3E SU's Reviewed Applications accepted Literacy 5 hrs No Any time Small Project <100 hrs Yes Any time Large Project 1000 hrs Yes 4 times per year (see dates below)Blocks of more than 1000 SP or T3E hours must be requested directly from SDSC. See the NPACI Allocations Document for details. Note that proposals are reviewed only twice each calendar year (deadline November 1st and May 1st).Account applications for the UCSF Block Grant are accepted from any UCSF faculty, staff, or graduate student. Once approved, accounts are usually established within a week. Details for these programs follow. Contact tef@cgl.ucsf.edu to establish an account.
Literacy accounts are offered each quarter to UCSF faculty, staff and graduate students. These accounts are available on a quarterly basis and can be allocated up to 5 hours of SP or T3E time. Applications are accepted at any time. Accounts may be renewed with a new "Supercomputer Literacy Account" application each quarter.
Small project accounts are offered each quarter to UCSF faculty, or graduate students and staff with UCSF faculty sponsorship. These accounts can be allocated up to 100 hours of SP or T3E time per quarter. Applications are accepted at any time and undergo a review to determine the suitability of supercomputer usage. Account must be renewed with a new application each quarter.
Large project accounts are offered each quarter to UCSF faculty
or graduate students and staff with UCSF faculty sponsorship.
These accounts can be allocated up to 1000 hours of SP or T3E
time per quarter.
Applications are accepted 4 times per year and undergo a review
to determine the suitability of supercomputer usage.
Applicants may request up to two quarters of time with each application.
Account must be renewed with a new application which will
require a review of progress during the previous time allocation.
Application schedule for Large Project accounts:
Application deadline For period
December 1 Jan - March
March 1 April - June
June 1 July - September
September 1 October - December
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