Application Process

Any qualified Canadian researcher may apply for a SciNet account at any time after having successfully registered with the Compute Canada Database. In general, a faculty member applies. Accounts have default limits but those users with especially large resource requirements may apply to the National Resource Allocation Committee for larger allocations.

Here is a synopsis of the application process:

1. faculty member (PI) registers with the Compute Canada Database
2. faculty member (PI) applies for a default SciNet account for his/her research program
3. optional: faculty member (PI) applies to the National Resource Allocation Committee if they need an allocation that is larger than the default.

To complete step 2) above: After receiving your CCRI (Compute Canada Role Identifier) you can get an account at any consortium by simply logging-in to the CCDB site and go to "My account" -> "Apply for a consortium account". If you click on the "Apply" button for SciNet you will then be put on the SciNet portal, and asked to fill a form. Your account will then be set up within a day or two.

Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and other research staff follow the first 2 steps above after the faculty member who will sponsor them. Students and postdocs must use their professor's CCRI in their application for membership in the CCDB. Once their CCDB membership is approved, then they follow the same procedure outlined in the previous paragraph in order to obtain their SciNet account. Note that supervisors must have a SciNet account before members of their group can get theirs.

The user will be notified, by e-mail, when the account has been set up, and will be instructed to contact SciNet staff for further details.

Default Allocations

All SciNet users have access to a "default allocation" which gives them the ability to use a certain maximum number of nodes at any time. If that limit has been exceeded, the user's jobs will remain in the queue until they are able to run.

Currently, the default allocation limits are equivalent to continuous usage of 32 nodes (256 cores) on the GPC and 2 nodes on the TCS (for groups with access to that machine) in any given 48-hour period. Note that this default is a maximum limit rather than a guaranteed limit. If the job queue is full then it is possible that jobs are unable to start even if a user's default limits have not been reached.

It is also important to understand that this default allocation limit applies to entire research groups rather than to individuals. Thus, if one member of a group is using the full default allocation then jobs submitted by other users in the same group will wait in the queue until they are able to run. It is technically more correct to say that the default limit applies to all members of a given "Default Resource Allocation Project" (DRAP). Login to the CCDB to check which DRAP you belong to and to see either:

1. who belongs to your group (if you are a PI/faculty member) or
2. who's group you belong to (if you are a PDF, RA or student).

RAC Allocations

Resource allocations beyond the default allocation are determined by an application and adjudication process.

Researchers requiring access to more resources than are available to a default allocation must submit a proposal to Compute Canada's Resource Allocation Committee (RAC). The Call for Proposals is posted on the Compute Canada site each fall, with awarded allocations running 1 Jan to 31 Dec of every year.

All SciNet PIs will receive email notification when RAC applications are due. Proposals with details about the scientific and technical aspects, are to be submitted via the Compute Canada website: https://ccdb.computecanada.ca.