Services
What we do
- Data storage and backups
- Data visualization and analysis programming
- Desktop and server system administration and support
- High-Performance and Advanced Research Computing Support (in partnership with SHARCNET)
- Laboratory and research infrastructure design
- Research data lifecycle planning and support
- Research Software Engineering / Programming
- Web survey implementation
- Support with CFI and other funding applications
- Purchase consultation
- Graphics and visualization
- Strategic planning
Expandable List
RHPCS Mandate:
A growing number of research fields require advanced and high-performance computing as a key component of their tool-chests. RHPCS’ mandate is to support advanced and high-performance computing installations as a central part of the university infrastructure.
RHPCS Services:
- Recommending hardware configurations and getting vendor quotes for funding grant applications
- Site planning and configuration
- Hardware and software installation and administration
- Application software development, user management, integration with desktop systems
Contract System Administration:
Administration of Unix systems is our bread and butter. But research computing clusters are never homogeneous, so that administration includes network administration as well as managing file and printer sharing and backup services for Windows and MacOS systems. Departments or research groups pay an annual fee, based on an average number of hours of service per week. Administration includes installation, configuration, security, patches and upgrades, software installation and user administration, but the exact description varies somewhat from group to group. We support most major version of Unix (including Mac OS X) as well as configuring and maintaining linux servers for MS Windows research clusters. In general, the larger the contract, the more room there is for flexibility in the exact arrangements.
System Management Tasks:
RHPCS may be contracted on a time-and-materials basis to do installation, configuration and system work for groups who do not have a support contract or who need work beyond the scope of their contract. These jobs can only be undertaken when staff are not fully occupied with regular support work, and are billed at a standard rate of pay
System and Software Problems:
RHPCS can provide consultation to researchers without contracts on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on staff availability. That is: we can’t promise to help, but we’ll certainly try. Again, consultations are billed at our standard rate of pay
Purchase Consultation:
RHPCS can provide advice on equipment purchases based on the requirements of your research and the size of the user group. This includes getting quotes from vendors, help with preparing the technical specifications for RFPs and ensuring compliance with the proposal requirements of the granting agencies.
Graphics and Visualization:
RHPCS is developing support services in graphics application consultation & software. The graphics and visualization Research Engineer may be seconded to research groups to develop visualization applications. Two pilot projects have been completed. The mechanism for applying for programmer services is being developed. Interested researchers should contact RHPCS. We welcome input from the research community regarding your requirements in this area.
Strategic Planning:
RHPCS provides assistance to the Research Office for Administration and Developmental Support (ROADS)and equipment grant proposers by seeking to leverage the university investment in research computing infrastructure through negotiating with vendors for site licenses and discounts, providing staff management for contract support staff, and through encouraging the use of shared institutional facilities (e.g. SHARCNET) where feasible.
RHPCS is proud to support researchers from all faculties at McMaster. We are happy to assist with the preparation and review of applications for funding which have research computing as a component. Please contact researchcomputing@mcmaster.ca for more information about this service.
Information Box Group
SHARCNET
Formally established in June, 2001, Shared Hierarchical Academic Research Computing Network (SHARCNET) is the culmination of the vision of several faculty from McMaster University, The University of Western Ontario, and the University of Guelph.
SHARCNET provides access to supercomputing facilities for research.
Digital Research Alliance of Canada
The Digital Research Alliance of Canada (DRAC) serves Canadian researchers, with the objective of advancing Canada’s position as a leader in knowledge economy on an international stage.
SOSCIP
The Southern Ontario Smart Computing Innovation Platform (SOSCIP) consortium is a ground-breaking collaboration between Ontario’s research-intensive post-secondary institutions and small- and medium-sized enterprises across the province.
SOCIP provides advanced computing to support collaborations between industrial and academic researchers.
Current Rates
Projects We Support
Tools & Documentation
Resources
Research Computing Help for Clients
RHPCS provides support contracts for research computing. Our Resource Wiki can provide you with more information.
Research Support at the Library
The Library has tools and training to support you every step of the way through the information research process.
- Planning your research
- Finding your resources
- Evaluating and citing sources
- Publishing your research
Research Data Management
Research Data Management (RDM) is the active organization and maintenance of data throughout its lifecycle–from collection to interpretation, dissemination, long-term preservation, and reuse. McMaster RDM experts are available to consult on and assist with a variety of research data management.
The McMaster Campus Store
The McMaster Campus store sells a wide variety of software including Microsoft, Adobe, and Educational Licensing. For more information please visit the Campus Store software page.
University Technology Services (UTS)
UTS offers Office 365 to students, staff, and faculty. UTS also offers other Microsoft related software, MatLAB, and more. To view all software please visit the UTS Software page
Software and Web Applications
LimeSurvey
The Office of the Vice President, Research offers our research community free access to the survey service, LimeSurvey, ‘Central Instance’ – a tool that allows survey data to be collected and stored locally (on-campus). Our LimeSurvey Resource Hub can provide you with more information.
MATLAB
McMaster has embarked on a pilot test of the MATLAB Total Academic Headcount licensing program from August 2020 – July 2023. All faculty, researchers, and students are eligible to download and install these products on their university computers as well as their personally-owned computers.
Jupyter Notebook
Jupyter Notebook is an open-source web application that allows you to create and share documents that contain live code, equations, visualizations and narrative text.
Any McMaster faculty, staff or student can log on to an instance of Jupyter Notebook with their MacID and password. This instance of Jupyter Notebook is provided by the Digital Research Alliance of Canada and the Pacific Institute for Mathematical Sciences.
Pavlovia
McMaster has embarked on a pilot test of a site license for Pavlovia software from August 2020 – July 2022. During this period, licenses can be obtained at no cost for all people with an @mcmaster.ca email address by signing in or registering here.
McMaster Web Conferencing – WebEx
WebEx is a web conferencing system that allows real-time communication using audio, video and text chat over the internet. It is a powerful tool that facilitates online meetings, online classes, student group work and other collaborative ideas.
McMaster hosts and maintains a WebEx installation. Faculty and staff can request accounts to use the system, free of charge. To request an account, please visit McMaster’s Webex Support page.
Zoom
All eligible McMaster faculty, staff and active students now have access to licensed accounts! Please note: In some cases, users may need to request a zoom license. Generic, Departmental and Role Based accounts are not eligible for a Zoom license.
Sign in at https://mcmaster.zoom.us/ with your McMaster Email and your MacID password to activate your zoom license account.