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Getting Started

This tutorial is designed to help new users set up everything required to access the RWTH HPC system CLAIX. There are three prerequisites:

  1. An RWTH account
  2. An HPC account
  3. A connection to the RWTH network or partner network

Warning

Important: The RWTH IdM and HPC account (via RegApp) both require a separate multi-factor authentification (MFA) method. We recommend using a hardware token or a Time-based One-Time Password (TOTP) app on your smartphone (e.g., Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator or FreeOTP).

If you run into any problems, feel free to reach out to us.

Step 1: Create an RWTH Account in our Identity Management (IdM)

Note

If you are an RWTH student or employee you already have an RWTH account and can skip this step.

You need to obtain an account through the RWTH partner process, which involves receiving a coupon code via email. This process can be initiated in one of the following ways:

  • You applied for a computing time project and received approval.
  • You are affiliated with Forschungszentrum Jülich or Uniklinikum Aachen and asked your institution to be partnered with RWTH.
  • You have been sponsored by an RWTH employee, for example, as part of the organization "HPC-Projektnutzende" (HPC project users) in the role of "Angehörige Organisationseinheit" (member of the organizational unit)

Redeem IdM Coupon

If you received an email with a coupon:

  • Follow the instructions described here to create an RWTH account
  • Important: Make sure to note down your IdM user ID (e.g. ab123456) and password

Set MFA for RWTH IdM Account

To use your RWTH IdM account effectively, you must set up a multi-factor authentication (MFA) method.

  • Log into the IdM Selfservice
  • Please follow the instructions described here and create a TAN list with backup codes for MFA.
  • Create an additional token (e.g. TOTP with a smartphone).

Step 2: Register HPC Account

Note

Please wait at least two hours after creating your RWTH account before proceeding.

With your RWTH account, you can now register an HPC account in the RegApp. Please note that the user ID of your HPC account might differ to your RWTH IdM account.

Register HPC Service

  • Follow the instructions described here to register for an HPC account.
  • Important: Make sure to note down your HPC user ID (e.g. xyz67589)

Set HPC Password and MFA

Your HPC account cannot be used without a password and a MFA token. For security reasons, please choose a password that is different to your RWTH account.

Warning

Note that this MFA is different to the RWTH IdM MFA you have set up before.

  • Follow the instructions described here to set a password.
  • Follow the instructions described here to set up MFA for your HPC account. Important: Also, create a TAN list with backup codes in case you lose your smartphone, for example.
  • We also recommend to set an SSH key for accessing the HPC infrastructure later

Step 3: Connect to Accessible Network via VPN (might be optional)

Our cluster can directly be accessed through the RWTH network, networks that are linked to DFN, and certain other designated university networks. If you are on an external network, you need to either:

  • connect to an allowed network (e.g. from your home insitution or university) or
  • use the Cisco Secure Client to establish a VPN connection to the RWTH network

In the latter case, please execute the following steps:

  • If not done before, set a password for your VPN account in the IdM Selfservice. (See instructions for additional details)
  • Download the Cisco AnyConnect, as described for Windows, MacOS, and Linux.
  • Establish a VPN connection.

Step 4: Connect to the Cluster

After completing the steps above, you should be able to log into the cluster. There are several option to access the system:

  • using SSH in a classical terminal
  • using a remote desktop session with FastX
  • using our HPC JupyterHub service