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INFORMATION SYSTEMS SERVICES FOR RESEARCH COMPUTING

http://www.uvic.ca/systems/researchcomputing/

Revised: 2013 May 28

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PURPOSE

To raise awareness of the information systems services available to the research community at

the University of Victoria. These services are provided and/or maintained by University Systems,

often in collaboration with researchers or other partner organizations.

CONTENTS

Service Descriptions .................................................................................................................................. 3

Data Centre Hosting ...................................................................................................................... 3

Shared Computing ........................................................................................................................ 3

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) .................................................................................................. 5

Specialty Computing ..................................................................................................................... 5

High Speed Networking ................................................................................................................ 6

Computer Purchase & Repair........................................................................................................ 6

Computer Labs .............................................................................................................................. 7

Consulting ..................................................................................................................................... 7

Web Publishing/Hosting ............................................................................................................... 7

Collaboration Tools ....................................................................................................................... 8

Multimedia .................................................................................................................................... 8

Information Security ..................................................................................................................... 8

Project Management .................................................................................................................... 9

Eduroam ........................................................................................................................................ 9

Partners ................................................................................................................................................... 10

Governance & Committees ..................................................................................................................... 11

Key Contacts in University Systems ........................................................................................................ 12

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SERVICE DESCRIPTIONS

Data Centre Hosting

The university has two central data centres with significant capacity available to research

clients. University Systems offers managed and unmanaged hosting services, both of which

provide the essentials: physical space, power, cooling, connectivity & security.

Managed services allow you to concentrate on your research: ongoing maintenance and

operation of computing facilities is performed by University Systems staff.

Alternatively, with unmanaged hosting, you and/or your authorized staff members are

granted access to the data centre to perform maintenance and operations of your systems.

Access to data centre facilities is controlled and monitored to ensure the integrity of your

assets.

University Systems also provides consultation services to help design, procure and install

your system, as well as select the hosting solution that best fits your needs.

Costs: Data centre hosting services are subject to cost recovery.

Shared Computing

Compute Canada and WestGrid

A substantial Compute Canada and WestGrid presence was established at UVic in

2010. Compute Canada, through its four regional divisions: Compute West (WestGrid),

Compute Ontario, Calcul Quebec and Compute Atlantic, offers shared computing

resources for use by researchers at UVic and across Canada. Being a partner insititution

in WestGrid, UVic hosts a system that includes four major components: capability,

capacity, storage and visualization and collaboration.

Capability System

This low-latency, high-bandwidth-interconnect, distributed memory system will run

large, highly parallel, MPI applications. Clients include (but are not limited to):

chemistry, astrophysics, engineering, and earth & ocean sciences. The Capability system

is composed of 2304 cores and is named Nestor.

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Capacity Cluster

The capacity cluster serves a multidisciplinary research community, including particle

physics (including ATLAS), engineering, biology and earth & ocean sciences. The capacity

cluster, called Hermes, has 2112 cores and supports serial jobs

Storage

The storage system provides disk and tape to both the capability and capacity systems.

It is composed of:

3.6 PB of disk

1.2 PB tape subsystem

Visualization and Collaboration Infrastructure

Currently, UVic has a dedicated room for visualization and remote collaboration for UVic

researchers. The room is equipped with:

Dual 3D HDTV screens

Polycom H323 Codec

Document Cameras

3D visualization and audio equipment

Accessing Compute Canada/WestGrid Resources

Compute Canada resources are available to any eligible researcher at a publicly funded

Canadian academic or CFI-eligible research institution, irrespective of their geographical

location. Once registered with Compute Canada, a researcher can apply for an account

at one of the consortia, such as WestGrid, to access the shared resources there. For

projects that require large resources, researchers are advised to apply for a RAC

allocation. National and Local Resource Allocation Committees (RAC) work to ensure all

Compute Canada resources are being utilized effectively.

For more information, or to apply for access, please see:

https://computecanada.ca/index.php/en/apply-for-an-account

Grid Computing

The WestGrid cluster is home to a grid computing site, which allows the computing and

storage resources to be harnessed by the Worldwide LHC Computing Grid. This allows

UVic to participate in large international scientific collaborations which use distributed

computing, such as the ATLAS experiment.

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High Performance Computing (HPC) Specialist

University Systems has a number of staff resources available to assist researchers.

However, there is one staff member, an HPC specialist, dedicated specifically to

providing assistance in using the Compute Canada and WestGrid facilities: everything

from gaining access to adapting your software to run efficiently on the clusters as well

as to using the visualization and collaboration systems. To obtain assistance from an

HPC specialist, please contact sysadmin@uvic.ca

Costs: There is no cost recovery for the use of Compute Canada and WestGrid facilities.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Researchers now require greater flexibility in choosing environments for their computing

jobs. Developing and maintaining specialized environments to support non-standard

software configurations is laborious and time consuming. Over time, the resulting

environments become single-purpose, and ultimately restrict which computing facilities a

researcher can use.

As a cloud model, IaaS increases maintainability and flexibility by introducing a virtualization

layer on top of a relatively generic compute cluster. The specialized compute environments

are now contained in customized virtual machine images which can be maintained on a per-

client basis. The result is greater portability, specifically, the ability to shift computing work

between different clusters on and off campus, and even to commercial IaaS providers.

The university has supported an IaaS cloud named “Synnefo” on the WestGrid system for

several years. University Systems has recently begun converting older research clusters to

this IaaS model – over time, this will increase opportunities for researchers, improve

effectiveness of systems support staff and extend the working lifetime of these clusters.

Costs: There is no cost recovery for the use of the local cloud resources.

Specialty Computing

University Systems maintains several High Performance Computing (HPC) clusters on behalf

of specific departments. The owners of these systems often make their facilities available

for use by other researchers. Most of these clusters run a typical Linux install with

Torque/Moab as their scheduler; however, each cluster will run slightly different software.

For more information, please see:

http://rcf.uvic.ca

University Systems staff can provide guidance on cluster capabilities, and in connecting you

with the appropriate system owner.

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Costs: Any potential costs associated with the use of these systems will be administered by

individual system owners, not University Systems.

High Speed Networking

Dedicated research networks at UVic provide flexible and high-capacity connectivity for

research and HPC. These networks facilitate high bandwidth connections, close connectivity

to mass-storage and research computing facilities, and permit the use of emerging

technologies that may not be possible or are incompatible with academic and administrative

uses of general-purpose campus networks.

The research network consists of a high-speed switched network within (and between) the

enterprise data centres, with extensions to labs and offices in other buildings on-campus.

There are also interconnections to campus wired & wireless networks, BCNET/CANARIE and

the commercial Internet. University Systems staff will also work with other agencies and

service providers to establish dedicated site-to-site networks for your project.

Costs: Networking services may be subject to cost recovery.

Computer Purchase & Repair

The Technology Solutions Centre (TSC) is a place where faculty and staff seeking to purchase

computing technology can have their needs assessed.

The TSC includes a demonstration facility for on-site trials of recommended standard

hardware (laptop and desktop computers). As part of the University Systems Service

Centre, the TSC also performs warranty and non-warranty repair work for Apple hardware.

The TSC also coordinates repair work for systems purchased through the TSC, and will help

you locate repair services for systems purchased elsewhere.

Web site: http://www.uvic.ca/tsc

Email: tsc@uvic.ca

Telephone: 250-853-3572

In person: Clearihue C143

Hours of operation: 8:00am – 7:00pm Monday through Friday

Costs: Purchases and repairs are subject to cost recovery; advising and recommendations

are free of charge.

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Computer Labs

Student Computing Facilities (SCF) provides desktop computing resources and assistance to

UVic students, staff and faculty at several locations on campus. These facilities are available

for “drop-in” access by students and on-line survey respondents. They may also be booked

by researchers to perform experiments.

The CALL Facility is specifically suited for languages-related teaching and research.

For more information, please see:

http://www.sfg.uvic.ca/bookings.php

Costs: Computer lab use may be subject to cost recovery.

Consulting

University Systems can provide advice and guidance on IT-related matters at every stage of

your project, including:

o System, network and audio visual design and cost estimation in support of grant

proposals

o RFP specification and evaluation

o Equipment procurement, installation and configuration

o HPC and high-speed networking expertise and best practices

o Collaboration on educational technologies development

o Conference planning and event coordination

o Assistance with privacy impact assessments and research ethics waiver

Costs: There are no fees for consulting services.

Web Publishing/Hosting

University Systems has expertise in all aspects of web publishing ranging from consulting, to

web design to complete hosting services.

Sample web sites include:

http://www.pics.uvic.ca/

http://communications.uvic.ca/research/

For more information, please see:

http://www.uvic.ca/systems/web/

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Costs: Development of web sites may be subject to cost recovery.

Collaboration Tools

University Systems supports a number of online collaboration tools including Moodle and

SharePoint.

For more information, please see:

http://www.uvic.ca/systems/web/sharepoint/

http://www.uvic.ca/systems/learningteaching/

Costs: These services may be subject to cost recovery.

Multimedia

A variety of audiovisual and multimedia services are available, including:

o HD videoconferencing facilities

o Event and lecture video recording services

o Video-on-demand and web streaming

For more information, please see:

http://www.uvic.ca/systems/avmultimedia/

Costs: These services may be subject to cost recovery.

Information Security

The Information Security Office (ISO) supports the University of Victoria’s commitment to

create a secure yet open computing environment in which the community can teach, learn,

conduct research, and perform administrative functions. The ISO is responsible for overall

coordination and management of Information Security at the university.

The ISO will assist you in ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of

information you are responsible for. The ISO can provide consulting services on security and

privacy matters for ethics board submissions, contracts with external third-parties, reviews

on new and existing information systems and infrastructure, as well as security awareness

and education for staff.

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For more information, please see:

http://www.uvic.ca/systems/informationsecurity

Costs: These services are not subject to cost recovery.

Project Management

The Project Management Office (PMO) provides project management support and project

portfolio management services to University Systems and other departments on campus. To

find out how these services may assist you with your research project, please see:

http://www.uvic.ca/systems/helpsupport/projectmanagement/

Costs: These services are not subject to cost recovery.

Eduroam

Eduroam (education roaming) is the secure, world-wide roaming access service developed

for the international research and education community. Eduroam allows students,

researchers, faculty and staff from participating institutions to obtain wireless Internet

connectivity when visiting other participating institutions – using their own userids &

passwords from their home institutions.

UVic has fully supported eduroam since 2008.

Related information:

Eduroam

http://www.eduroam.org/

Canadian coverage:

https://wiki.bc.net/atl-conf/display/CANEDUROAM/Using+eduroam

Europe

http://www.eduroam.org/?p=europe

Asia-Pacific

http://www.aarnet.edu.au/Content.aspx?p=137

Costs: These services are not subject to cost recovery.

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PARTNERS

BCNET

BCNET builds high-performance networks for British Columbia’s research and education

institutes. A not-for-profit organization, BCNET is collectively funded by BC’s universities,

federal and provincial governments. The university’s connections to the Internet and the

CANARIE network are provided through BCNET.

http://www.bc.net

CANARIE

CANARIE Inc. is Canada’s Advanced Research and Innovation Network. Established in 1993,

CANARIE manages an ultra high-speed network (CA*Net4) hundreds of times faster than the

Internet, which facilitates leading-edge research and big science across Canada and around

the world. More than 39,000 researchers at nearly 200 Canadian universities and colleges

use the CANARIE network, as well as scientists at many research institutes, hospitals, and

government laboratories throughout the country.

http://www.canarie.ca/en/home

WestGrid

WestGrid operates high performance computing (HPC), collaboration and visualization

infrastructure across western Canada. It encompasses 14 partner institutions across four

provinces. WestGrid is one of the four HPC regional divisions in Canada. These regional

divisions are part of Compute/Calcul Canada (http://www.computecanada.ca), a national

HPC organization promoting the establishment of a national HPC infrastructure and research

facilities in Canada.

http://www.westgrid.ca/

Canadian Access Federation

The Canadian University Council of CIOs (CUCCIO), recognizing there is significant interest

among Canadian universities in federated access management to facilitate inter-university

collaboration for research and education purposes, established the Canadian Access

Federation (CAF) to provide a sustainable national production environment of an access

management federation. At present, two technologies are supported, eduroam and

Shibboleth.

http://www.cuccio-cdpiuc.ca/en/canadian-access-federation/

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GOVERNANCE & COMMITTEES

Research Computing Advisory Committee (RCAC)

The Research Computing Advisory Committee recommends how UVic should implement

strategies, policies, and processes to support research computing. This committee operates

within and leverages the framework of the UVic information systems governance process.

This committee is an opportunity for key stakeholders across UVic to work together to

create a robust and sustainable research computing environment. Collectively they develop

people, process, organization, and technology to improve research computing decisions and

services. The committee is designed to bring together a broad group of campus

contributors to discuss the appropriate objectives for institutional research computing.

Research Administration Systems Working Group (RAIS WG)

The purpose of the working group is to discuss what needs to be done to improve the web-

based information services of the Office of Research Services and to prioritize the projects

for resource allocation, creating a Top 10 list. This list is then presented to the

Administrative Services Operations Committee (ASOC) that reviews all of the Top 10 lists as

created by all of the working groups. ASOC reviews and makes decisions on resource

allocation.

The RAIS WG provides a forum for functional discussion to gain an understanding of what

needs to be done, as well as giving University Systems an idea of the priorities for the

university community. The systems governed by this committee include projects such as the

contracts database, web site re-design, Faculty CV’s, and document imaging. This group will

also scan the external environment for best practices and new systems available for

research administration systems.

Contact: Rachael Scarth, Director, Office of Research Services

250-472-4362 orsdir@uvic.ca

Research Services Operational Advisory Group (RSOAG)

The RSOAG advises the Office of Research Services on all CFI/BCKDF funding programs along

with the CRC and LEEF programs. The group focuses on all types of research issues at UVic

and has just implemented a process to inform the VP Research on issues that impact across

the campus.

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The RSOAG helps increase awareness among researchers of the services provided by

support agencies such as University Systems.

Contact: Joaquin Trapero, Special Programs Officer, Office of Research Services

250-721-7972 cfi@uvic.ca

KEY CONTACTS IN UNIVERSITY SYSTEMS

Finding the right person within any large organization can be a time consuming process. If you

are unsure of who to talk to, the senior management team of University Systems should be your

first point of contact – we can connect you with the appropriate resources.

Paul Stokes, Chief Information Officer

cio@uvic.ca (250) 721-7649

Nav Bassi, Director, Academic and Admin Services

navbassi@uvic.ca (250) 472-4502

Ron Kozsan, Director, Infrastructure Services

rkozsan@uvic.ca (250) 472-4825

Garry Sagert, Director, UVic Online

gsagert@uvic.ca (250) 721-7692