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Topsail Allocations

Overview
The 4,160 processor Dell Linux cluster, Topsail, is a significant investment by the University to provide scientific computing resources on a scale not heretofore possible at UNC-Chapel Hill. This system is available for use by campus researchers based on a competitive proposal review process. The Dell cluster consists of dual processor (Intel 3.6 GHz EM64T) servers with an Infiniband interconnect. The cluster targets problems whose solutions require large numbers of processors and applications that scale effectively. The cluster software includes the Intel compiler suite; applications required by those awarded non-developmental allocations will be installed assuming appropriate licensing is in place. Resource allocations will be made through a competitive, peer reviewed process, based on the quality of the research and its contribution to the University’s strategic objectives. Allocations are accounted for with Service Units (SUs). One SU corresponds to one hour of wall-clock time on one CPU. Three types of allocations will be made: Development, Medium and Large.

Development: 1-10,000 SUs
Medium: 10,000 – 200,000 SUs
Large: >200,000 SUs

To be considered for an allocation, you must submit a written proposal as described below. Allocation requests are reviewed and allocations made on a quarterly basis.

Types of Allocations
Development allocations are intended to meet the needs of new users, researchers who are testing and refining code, or those who have minimal cumulative computational requirements. A PI can be awarded one development allocation a year, and development allocation requests can be submitted at any time during the year. Development allocations are only good for the current quarter. Medium and large allocations will be peer reviewed. Proposals and supporting documentation are required for consideration of eligibility for these allocations; allocations are awarded for a period of up to four quarters.

Requesting Allocations
Allocations of CPU cycles may be requested by submitting an Allocation Form along with the appropriate proposal for the type of allocation requested. Allocation requests must be made by the principal investigator of the research project, who must be a UNC-Chapel Hill faculty member.

Development allocations: To be considered for a development allocation, you do not need to submit a full proposal. Along with the allocation form, submit an abstract of 250-500 words describing your computational needs, detailing the algorithms and software that will be used, and justifying the time (SUs) that you are requesting. The PI will receive an email confirmation regarding the award decision.

Medium and large allocations: Proposals for medium or large resource allocations should be submitted with the allocation form and must address the following issues.
- General description of the project
- Significance of the project and research in the context of the University’s mission and priorities
- Describe the algorithms and software to be used
- Explain why this cluster’s resources are required for the project
- Provide data to demonstrate the scalability of your computational models across large numbers of processors
- Resources required : Service Units (SUs) requested, memory, disk space, etc. and explain how you arrived at the estimated figures
- Indicate sources of funding for the project. Describe efforts, if any, to obtain further support.
An individual PI may submit one or two allocation proposals per allocation cycle.

Submitting a Proposal
Proposals should be submitted as Word or PDF attachments emailed to allocation@unc.edu . The allocation form available at http://www.renci.org/crc/allocations/allocation_cover.doc must also be completed and included as an attachment with your submission. The quarterly deadlines for proposal submission are:

January 15
April 15
July 15
October 15

Medium and large allocation awards will be made approximately six weeks after the submission deadline.

Review Procedures
Development allocation requests will be reviewed every two weeks by the Director of the RENCI Engagement Center at UNC-Chapel Hill. In some instances, the recommendation may be to use a system other than this cluster. The installation of software required for development projects will be the responsibility of the Principal Investigator’s team, although Research Computing staff can provide advice as needed. Medium and large allocation requests will be considered by a committee comprising 5-7 representatives selected by the Office of the Provost and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development. Proposals will be reviewed with the following criteria in mind:

Justification for use of this resource – the PI has requested an appropriate amount of time; the research program requires use of a high performance resource; the PI has demonstrated the scalability of code for use on this parallel machine
Alignment with University priorities and strategic goals
Scientific merit

Notification of Award
The PI will receive an email notification of the committee’s award decision.