Beginner's guides

Getting Started Resources

Get to know the basics of cluster computing

Table of Contents:   RAC 2020 • Introduction to WestGrid, Compute Canada, and HPC • Linux command line • Git version control • Building software with EasyBuild • Managing Cluster Instability for Users

RAC 2020

Introduction to WestGrid, Compute Canada, and HPC

Quick guides

“How to submit and run jobs on Compute Canada HPC systems”

Webinar (2018-Sep-19) - Introduction to working on our HPC systems for new users.

Other materials

Read WestGrid’s QuickStart Guide for Getting Started on CC National Systems.

Watch Compute Canada’s Getting Started with CC National Systems mini-webinars – a series of short video tutorials that demonstrate how to access the national clusters, submit jobs, access software, avoid common mistakes, and get help from the Compute Canada support team.

Browse the latest materials from WestGrid’s Introductory HPC course (ZIP file).

Linux command line

For a basic introduction to Bash command line – as well as programming in Python or R, and version control with Git – please check out a Software Carpentry workshop closest to you. For an online tutorial, we highly recommend their Introduction to using the shell in a HPC context.

“Fun tools to simplify your life in the command line”

Webinar (2020-02-19) by Marie-Hélène Burle

Git version control

Building software with EasyBuild

“Building software on Compute Canada clusters using EasyBuild”

Webinar (2020-04-15) by Ali Kerrache

Managing Cluster Instability for Users

Presentation on dealing with hardware and software instabilities on Cedar from a user’s perspective: causes, workarounds, bad workflows, best practices.