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Getting Started on Polaris

Logging Into Polaris

To log into Polaris:

ssh <username>@polaris.alcf.anl.gov
Then, type in the password from your CRYPTOCard/MobilePASS+ token.

Hardware Overview

An overview of the Polaris system, including details on the compute node architecture, is available on the Machine Overview page.

Compiling Applications

Users are encouraged to read through the Compiling and Linking Overview page and corresponding pages depending on the target compiler and programming model.

Accessing Additional Software

In addition to the Cray PE, ALCF installs software in /soft, which can be accessed via module commands by altering your $MODULEPATH:

module use /soft/modulefiles
The available software can then be queried with module avail.

Additionally, a suite of software packages is provided via Spack deployments, detailed on the Spack PE page.

Submitting and Running Jobs

Users are encouraged to read through the Running Jobs with PBS at the ALCF page for information on using the PBS scheduler and preparing job submission scripts. Some example job submission scripts are available on the Example Job Scripts page as well.

Lustre File Striping

In addition to the content above, here is a document on Lustre File Striping Basics:

Proxy

If the node you are on doesn’t have outbound network connectivity, add the following to your ~/.bash_profile file to access the proxy host:

# proxy settings
export HTTP_PROXY="http://proxy.alcf.anl.gov:3128"
export HTTPS_PROXY="http://proxy.alcf.anl.gov:3128"
export http_proxy="http://proxy.alcf.anl.gov:3128"
export https_proxy="http://proxy.alcf.anl.gov:3128"
export ftp_proxy="http://proxy.alcf.anl.gov:3128"
export no_proxy="admin,polaris-adminvm-01,localhost,*.cm.polaris.alcf.anl.gov,polaris-*,*.polaris.alcf.anl.gov,*.alcf.anl.gov"

Getting Assistance

Please direct all questions, requests, and feedback to [email protected].