hpcFachCluster.nrw
As part of the Landeskonzept 2025 of DH.NRW, the University of Cologne, along with RWTH Aachen University and the University of Paderborn, were selected as additional locations for jointly used Tier-3 HPC systems. These systems will replace the previous Tier-3 backup provision provided by the Tier-2 centers in NRW.
By 2027, a total of four Tier-3 systems (hpcCluster.nrw) are to be operated. In 2023, the University of Cologne was selected as the first location for the hpcBasisCluster.nrw, which serves the basic provision.
In 2024, RWTH Aachen University and the University of Paderborn were chosen as locations for the establishment of hpcFachCluster.nrw with different academic focuses. In 2025, another location for a hpcFachCluster.nrw will be selected.
Do you have questions about the interest registration for hpcFachCluster.nrw?
Then join our Zoom office hours:
Fridays, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Or contact us via email at fachcluster@hpc.nrw.
Contact persons and location-specific information
IT Center RWTH Aachen
Contact: Dr. Christian Terboven
Email: terboven@itc.rwth-aachen.de
Phone: +49 241 80 24375
Paderborn Center for Parallel Computing (PC2), University of Paderborn
Contact: Dr. Jens Simon
Email: jens.simon@uni-paderborn.de
Phone: +49 5251 60 1731
Further information on the HPC Fachcluster at PC2: https://pc2.uni-paderborn.de/go/hpcfachclusternrw
hpcBasisCluster.nrw
In accordance with the principles outlined in the Landeskonzept, the hpcCluster.nrw is being developed to provide high-performance computing capacities for universities that do not have their own Tier 3 system or to cover their additional computing needs.
This shared general-purpose Tier 3 system is intended to offer a cost- and energy-efficient alternative to the establishment of numerous smaller local systems. It will be set up and operated at the University of Cologne.
Access
The service is aimed at all universities, universities of applied sciences, and institutions of higher education (HAWs) in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The cluster aims to provide low-barrier access to HPC capacities, thus complementing the existing digital ecosystem in the field of HPC in the region.
Interested universities can acquire usage rights to the system. Expressions of interest for the first phase have already been completed, and the cluster will be procured in the course of 2025. The next phase will begin in three years. The system is initially planned to be operational for six years.
For any questions or interest, please feel free to contact helpdesk@hpc.nrw.
Will there be a limitation if the usage of the share is exceeded? Is there prioritization when exceeding the quotas? Must additional payment be made if more resources are needed?
A liability for additional payment cannot generally arise.
In the fair share model, the committed computing time is provided through one or more projects, in total corresponding to the share of participation (see further explanations below). This results in a calculated monthly quota being available. As part of the available computing capacity, a project can use unused computing time from the previous month or borrow computing time from the upcoming month, without immediately facing a reduction in priority when exceeding the quota. The queue priority of projects decreases after the full utilization of the calculated quota compared to projects with remaining quota. In this way, projects can use computing time not claimed by other projects, while ensuring the availability of the committed quota.
Nevertheless, the laws of physics apply, according to which unused time has passed.
How many PIs need to be specified by the locations?
2-3 PIs should be specified per location.
There are no fixed requirements for the minimum number of PIs for participation. In the Excel file "Interest Registration," sheet "Demand Registration," there is space to list five research projects. Even with a larger financial participation (well above 1 million €), this space should be sufficient to convince evaluators of the quality of the application through the strength of the individual research projects. For participation at two locations, this should also apply to each application.
For smaller participation, two strong research projects may be enough to present. In this case, it is recommended that PIs describe long-term, bundled activities (e.g., DFG Collaborative Research Centers (SFBs), EU projects, etc.).
Can the universities independently determine how the acquired usage shares are passed on to their users?
In principle, yes. For reasons of usage efficiency and to fully leverage the capabilities of the clusters, we recommend providing access through the so-called Fair Share model instead of an exclusive reservation. In the Fair Share model, the committed computing time is provided through one or more projects, in total corresponding to the share of participation. In these projects, the entire cluster can be used. The queue priority of the projects decreases after the calculated quota has been used up, compared to projects with remaining quota.
Security Standards: Are there any experiences with cooperation agreements with external parties (e.g. industry)
RWTH aims for certification according to ISO 27001 by 2027. However, this cannot currently be demonstrated. Furthermore, RWTH is testing a service for full encryption, which is expected to be available by 2026 – but cannot yet be guaranteed at this time.
What if there are users outside the area of specialization? Are there any limits? For example, if there are concrete deviations between the completed annexes and the actual usage later on?
This is not a problem. We cannot predict future usage. What is important is proof of primarily scientific use (research), regardless of the scientific discipline
Is the use of acquired shares possible for teaching purposes?
Excerpt from the information sheet for applications under the Large Research Equipment program according to Article 91b GG, with guidelines for the application process:
"The equipment must primarily serve research, meaning that the necessity of its procurement and use must be justified solely by its application in research. Additionally, the equipment may also be used in teaching and/or clinical care. However, the use in these areas is not considered when assessing the necessity."
Therefore, the use in teaching is generally possible. Both operator locations, however, also offer additional HPC services to support teaching within the state of NRW, and coordination can be arranged through these services.
