Vancouver, BC
May 21-24, 2018

Event Details

Please note: All times listed below are in Central Time Zone


Lessons Learned in Deploying OpenStack for HPC Users

Modern research computing needs at academic institutions are evolving. While traditional HPC satisfies most workflows, researchers seek sophisticated, on-demand, and self-service control of compute infrastructure. Furthermore, many also seek policy-compliant safe spaces to compute on sensitive or protected data.

To cater to these users, the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute deployed an OpenStack cloud called Stratus. In contrast to typical clouds, Stratus does not manage internal infrastructure; rather, Stratus complements bare-metal, fully-managed HPC, with a self-service model that can accommodate non-traditional computational and storage needs with HPC-like performance. 

This talk describes the lessons learned in launching a platform to support research with specific data-use agreements; and also issues concerning accountability, risk acceptance, and the role of project leadership when a large supercomputing facility deviates from its traditional base of support.


What can I expect to learn?

The talk will cover a) some background on MSI and its users; b) identifying research requirements which fit poorly with traditional HPC infrastructure, and how an OpenStack cloud was chosen as a solution; c) Cultural changes for institution and staff; d) Planning and testing through to acquisition and deployment; and e) User enrollment, cost-recovery, and discovery of new use-cases.

 

Monday, May 21, 11:35am-12:15pm (6:35pm - 7:15pm UTC)
Difficulty Level: Beginner
OpenStack Operator and System Admin
I am currently an HPC systems administrator at the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute, where I am part of the HPC and OpenStack teams. I started out studying Medical Science at the University of St Andrews, Scotland, before changing paths and graduating with a degree in Physics (also from St Andrews). Before joining the team at MSI, I worked at the School of Physics and Astronomy here in... FULL PROFILE
OpenStack Operator and System Admin
I am currently a systems administrator at the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute.  I am part of the infrastructure and OpenStack teams. I have a bachelor's degree in computer science from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.  My interests are OpenStack, Containers, Security, and Puppet. FULL PROFILE