Resources
Resources are physical or virtual computational infrastructure that offer compute time or storage. Example resources include CPU nodes, GPU nodes, OpenStack Virtual Machines, GPFS File Storage, Ceph Object Storage, or Network File Storage. parallel file systems (e.g., GPFS file storage) or mountable disk drives (block storage). There may be multiple Instances of a Resource (e.g., the PKS2 Ceph Object Store and the CoT Ceph Object Store).
Allocations
An Allocation refers to some amount of compute time or some amount of storage space on an Instance of a Resource. Allocations are given to PIs. PI's are given Allocations for the following purposes:
Allocation Purposes:
- Startup Allocations: A small number of resources given to Projects that can be used to help learn, test out, or perform small experiments with a resource.
- Meritorious Allocations: Resources allocated to support meritorious research Projects identified via a review process.
- Educational Allocations: Resources allocated in support of educational classes.
- CCS Discretionary Allocations: Discretionary resources managed by CCS to address unusual or unexpected computing needs.
- Condo Allocations: Allocations corresponding to the number of resources purchased and contributed to the condo
- Condo Incentive Allocations: Allocations given out (in addition to Condo Allocations) to incentivize participation in the condo model.
- Open Access Allocations: Unused resources made available for open access to all PIs.
PIs are automatically given Startup Allocations
(see startup allocation amounts).
PIs are also automatically given an unlimited amount of Open Access Allocations that represent
the unallocated processing time on a computational resource or access to
large amounts of scratch space (temporary space on a storage resource that
will be removed after a certain amount of time -- e.g., 90 days).
PIs may also purchase resources
(condo nodes or storage space) that are converted into
Condo Allocations and Condo Incentive Allocations.
In addition, PIs may request Meritorious, Educational, and Discretionary Allocations.
Requesting Allocations
PIs may request Meritorious, Educational, and Discretionary Allocations. The larger the request, the larger the justification that will be required. Please follow this process for requesting allocations.
Reviewing Allocation Requests
All Resource Allocation requests are reviewed -- possibly automatically or via a substantive review -- before being granted or denied. The process for deciding whether to grant or deny a resource allocation request, depends on the resource allocation being requested and the size of the request. Smaller allocation requests may be evaluated by CCS staff, while larger allocation request will be given to the CCS Allocations Review Committee for review. Request for Educational Allocations are evaluated by CCS staff and automatically granted to PIs if the course is on the approved list of courses. Meritorious allocation requests, on the other hand, will typically go through a more substantive review process involving the CCS Allocations Review Committee.