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.