Accessing the Clusters

Overview

There are two parts to accessing the cluster: 

• Getting Access
• Logging In
  •  Log in with SSH if you want command-line shell access.
  •  Log in with OnDemand if you want a graphical interface.

Getting Access

There are several ways of obtaining access to the clusters:

1. Research groups can purchase nodes and/or storage on the clusters.  A form for requesting a purchase is available here.  Once the purchase is confirmed, the group's PIs are then assigned an access list for their group.  The PIs can add or delete members as necessary.  

   Users outside of the LAS College can use the following page to manage lists:   
          https://asw.iastate.edu/cgi-bin/acropolis/list/members 
   LAS users use this form to manage lists:
          https://diy.las.iastate.edu/listman/manage

2. Research groups can also request a community allocation which has fewer resources available than for purchased access but is adequate for testing and proof-of-concept efforts.  The request can be submitted by the PI or by a group member. In the latter case the PI will still need to approve the request.  After the group has been added to Nova, the PIs can add or delete members as necessary at: https://asw.iastate.edu/cgi-bin/acropolis/list/members
3. Class instructors may request access to the clusters for students in their class.  Students are given resource limits adequate for class assignments. 
4. Students performing research outside of a faculty-led project may request access to the cluster selecting research use, listing academic advisor or department chair as sponsor and providing details on the objectives and goals for the project. Undergraduate students performing personal research will have access only to scavenger partition and short-term storage.

Logging In

Log in with SSH

Once you have been given access, log in using the steps below:

1. First, you must be on-campus or connected to campus using via the VPN (https://vpn.iastate.edu).
    
2. Use an SSH client program to connect to the appropriate head node:
   Nova Head Node:  nova.its.iastate.edu
   Nova VS Code users:  vs-code.its.iastate.edu
    
3. The first time you connect to the Nova head node using SSH, you will be sent instructions for setting up MultiFactor Authentication (MFA).   The Nova cluster uses a time-based key that works with MS Authenticator or similar applications that support one-time verification codes.
   1. You will need to use an app like MS Authenticator, or Google Authenticator to generate the codes needed for login.  You probably already have the MS Authenticator app which you use for other ISU Services.
   2. Adding Nova authentication to MS authenticator. (Other apps should be very similar)
      1. Open MS Authenticator and click the + upper right
         
      2. Click Work or school account
         
      3. Click "Scan QR code"
         
         1. You may be asked to give permission to use the camera so it can scan the QR code, you don't have to allow it, but it is quicker and more accurate to use the QR Code.
         2. Scan the code from the email or enter the seed code manually. 
         3. You should now see the 6 digit authentication codes Nova will be asking for.
            

      4. You should now be able to login to nova. Note that neither your Verification code or password will print out.

         % ssh your-netid@novadtn.its.iastate.edu
         (your-netid@nova.its.iastate.edu) Verification code:
         (your-netid@nova.its.iastate.edu) Password:.
         Last login: Fri Sep 27 13:19:50 2024 from 129.186.XX.XXX

Log in with OnDemand

OnDemand is a graphical interface for logging in to the clusters.  Before logging in to OnDemand, you should first log in using SSH as described above to create your home directory and initialize your environment correctly.  After that you can log in to the Nova OnDemand web interface.