On the TeraGrid, what types of allocations are available?
A TeraGrid allocation is a grant of computing time or data space on TeraGrid resources that is awarded to a researcher who serves as the principal investigator (PI) of an approved project.
Note: An allocation is not an account. An account is the specific method individuals use to log into resources to use the time or space granted in the PI's allocation.
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Types of allocations
There are three types of TeraGrid allocations, each with a defined amount of computer time and storage space allotted, typical usage, and request process:
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Startup allocations: These are appropriate for
code development, experimentation with TeraGrid platforms, and for
application testing. Most first-time TeraGrid users should request a
Startup allocation. PIs may request a single computational resource, a
combination of resources, or an assorted set of resources (TeraGrid
Wide Roaming Access).
Startup requests may total up to 200,000 service units (SUs); limits for individual resources may vary. The Startup limit for roaming allocations is 50,000 SUs. For Startup allocation limits on current and planned TeraGrid resources, see the Resource Catalog.
Startup data allocations provide limited storage in databases, disk collections, and tape archives. Startup data allocations provide up to 5TB on disk and 25TB on tape. For a list of available data resources, see the Data Resources section of the Resource Catalog.
Startup allocations expire after one year, and a PI may have only one active Startup allocation at a time. Although renewals for Startup allocations are permitted with appropriate justification, a PI should consider requesting a Research allocation to continue work on the TeraGrid.
-
Education allocations: These allocations are
appropriate for use in classroom instruction or training
activities. Education allocations have the same SU and storage limits
as Startup requests.
- Research allocations: Most Research allocations allow PIs to continue work they began with Startup allocations. However, a Startup allocation is not a prerequisite for requesting a Research allocation. A successful Research allocation request requires a detailed justification of resource usage. For more, see About applying for a Research allocation on the TeraGrid. Requests are reviewed four times a year by the Resource Allocations Committee.
Additionally, your request for a Startup, Education, or Research allocation can include a request for Roaming access that gives your research team the ability to use a large subset of TeraGrid resources. For more on Roaming, see On the TeraGrid, what is a Roaming allocation? For more on allocation types, sizes, and request guidelines, consult the Allocations and Accounts page in the TeraGrid User Support documentation.
Getting started
To get started using the TeraGrid's computing, visualization, and storage resources, and advanced support services, a researcher may apply for a TeraGrid allocation or request to be added to an existing one:
- To apply for an allocation, use the Partnerships Online Proposal
System (POPS); see How do I apply for a new TeraGrid allocation? For eligibility requirements,
see Who is eligible to apply for a TeraGrid allocation?
- A principal investigator (PI) can add users to an existing allocation via the TeraGrid User Portal; see How can I add or remove a user from an existing TeraGrid allocation?
For more, see the Getting Started Guide in the User Support documentation.
This document was developed with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. 0503697 to the University of Chicago and subcontracted to Indiana University. Additional support was provided by IU through its participation in the TeraGrid, which is supported by the NSF under Grants No. 0833618, SCI451237, SCI535258, and SCI504075. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF.
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Last modified on September 25, 2008.
