Overview

Monash eResearch, in partnership with Science and Engineering Faculties, has acquired HPCaaS (HPC as a Service) capacity from the National Computing Infrastructure (NCI, https://nci.org.au/). The allocations provide access to the NCI Gadi HPC cluster and project data storage. The resources are available quarterly to researchers and HDR students through a competitive but lightweight application process. 

Please review the NCI SU model to evaluate the SU budget required.

The requests limits:

• Minimum - 1 kSU 

• Maximum - 600 kSU

Terms and Conditions

1. HDR students are expected to apply themselves, but the allocations can be requested to be added to a joint project at NCI.

2. Unused allocation will expire at the end of the term and can’t be rolled over automatically to the next term. 

3. For the approved grants greater than 300 kSU, 50% will be initially provided. 

4. Usage is monitored and might be reduced mid-term if it is below 30%.

5. Excessive unused allocation by the end of the term will likely reduce the chances for an extension. The applicants must plan accordingly for the code or data preparations, or you may be unavailable for an extensive term. It is better to request a modest but realistic amount of kSU and ask to top it up than asking too much but not being able to use it.

6. More resources can be requested if the provisioned allocation has reached 80% and is insufficient. Please contact Monash eResearch at hpc@monash.edu.

7. NCI does not provide an environment for sensitive data; therefore, applications containing sensitive data will be automatically rejected. Please contact Monash eResearch at hpc@monash.edu if you require processing sensitive data.

8. Cyber security recommendations:

   • Use a complex password when setting up a password to connect to NCI systems. Please use Monash University Standards for password management https://www.intranet.monash/esolutions/about-us/cyber-risk-resilience/Standards/User-Access-Control-Standard-v2.1.pdf 

   • Passwords should be rotated every 6 months to improve security.

   • It's highly recommended to use SSH keys in addition to a password (https://opus.nci.org.au/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=248840234). 

   • A passphrase along with Public key/certificate-based authentication provides an extra layer of security.

   • Limit SSH Agent Forwarding unless absolutely necessary.

   • Log out of the sessions after use.

   • It’s recommended to use only trusted networks when connecting to NCI networks. If you are traveling, vpn to Monash network before connecting to NCI systems.

   • Regularly update and patch all OSs, Software, and tools used (e.g., Putty, Open SSH Client, MobaXterm, Terminus, etc.) for initialising SSH connections.