Introduction

About the Hopper Cluster

The Hopper Cluster, launched in 2016 is a system for high-performance and parallel computing. It is designed to accelerate research in a wide variety of fields by providing high-end computing resources. These resources include centrally managed cluster resources, storage, software and technical user support.

The Hopper Cluster is a collaborative, campus-wide effort of Auburn University funded by:

  • The National Science Foundation

  • Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development

  • Office of Information Technology

  • Office of the Provost

  • College of Sciences and Mathematics

  • Samuel Ginn College of Engineering

Hopper Namesake

Auburn has named this supercomputer “Hopper” in honor of the late Rear Admiral Dr. Grace Murray Hopper, an extraordinary woman whose contributions to computer science laid the foundation for modern programming. Among her long list of remarkable achievements are the creation of the “A” compiler, key efforts in the development of COBOL and other high level languages, and significant input into the development of early machines, including UNIVAC.

About this Manual

This manual is the primary reference document for Auburn University’s Hopper High Performance Computing Cluster. It is not intended to be an exhaustive reference, but rather a concise guide to the basics of the system and a starting point for users.

This manual will be revised on an ongoing basis. It is important that users refer to the latest version.

Acceptable Use

Policies outlined in OIT’s Appropriate Use of Information Technology, and well as any other applicable policies, apply to use of the Hopper cluster. Hopper also has its own guidelines and restrictions for acceptable use, described throughout this document.

Citations and Acknowledgements

Please help show the importance of computational resources and OIT support staff in research at Auburn University by acknowledging such in any publication or presentation that are made possible using the Hopper Cluster.

Acceptable citations are below:

  • This work was completed in part with resources provided by the Auburn University Hopper Cluster.

  • We are grateful for the support of the Auburn University Hopper Cluster for assistance with this work.

  • We acknowledge the Auburn University Hopper Cluster for support of this work.

If an acknowledgement is included your work, please send a brief email to hpcadmin@auburn.edu.

Please note that the Hopper Cluster is distinct and in no way related to the Alabama Supercomputer Authority.

System Overview

Hopper is a Lenovo System X based HPC Cluster with approximately 5888 Cores, 39 TB RAM, 1.4 PB Disk, and 175 TFlops*. For details, please visit the AU HPC website.

*as of the document version and date