Course Preparation

In order to participate successfully in the workshop exercises, you must have a Flux user account, a Flux allocation (one is created for each workshop), and a Duo two-factor authentication account. The user account allows you to log in to the cluster, create, compile, and test applications, and prepare Flux jobs for submission. The allocation allows you to submit those jobs, executing those applications in parallel on the cluster and charging their resource use against the allocation. Duo is required to authenticate you to the cluster.

Flux user account

A single Flux user account can be used to prepare and submit jobs using various allocations. If you already already possess a user account, you can use it for this course, you can skip to “Flux allocation” below. If not, please visit https://arc-ts.umich.edu/fluxform to obtain one. A user account is free to members of the University community. Please note that obtaining an account requires human processing, so be sure to do this at least two business days before class begins.

Flux allocation

We create an allocation for the workshop so you can run jobs on the cluster during the workshop and for one day after for those who would like additional practice. The workshop allocation is quite limited and is intended only to run examples to help you cement the details of job submission and management. If you already have an existing Flux allocation, you can use that, though if there are any issues with that allocation, we will ask you to use the workshop allocation.

Two-factor authentication (Duo)

Flux and other ARC-TS resources require two-factor authentication with both a UMICH password and Duo (which replaces MTokens starting July 20, 2016) in order to log in.

Duo provides several options, including a smartphone or tablet app, phone calls to landlines or cell phones, and text messages. Instructions on enrolling in Duo are available at http://its.umich.edu/two-factor-authentication.

Activate and test your Duo account before you come to class.