Introduction

WestGrid’s Local Resource Allocation Committee (WestGrid RAC) works to ensure all WestGrid resources and being utilized effectively. WestGrid resources are available to any eligible researcher at a publicly funded Canadian academic or CFI-eligible research institution, irrespective of their geographical location. 

The WestGrid RAC is working very closely with the Compute Canada National Resource Allocation Committee (NRAC) to ensure that the resource allocation process both at a national level and locally within the consortia meets the needs of the research community.

The mandate of the WestGrid RAC, similar to the NRAC, is to ensure that the Compute Canada infrastructure is supporting high quality science, on the most appropriate machine.

The WestGrid RAC has the authority to allocate up to 60% of each of the new WestGrid resources, plus any of the 40% not allocated by the NRAC. As with past years, WestGrid will ensure that a small portion of each machine is left available for users who do not have RAC allocations. Given the timing of the NRAC and LRAC decisions, some WestGrid RAC allocations might be “conditional” upon determining the results from the NRAC to ensure there are adequate resources available. 

The full list of systems on which WestGrid will be making allocations on are detailed here. WestGrid expects to make the majority of allocations on the “new” WestGrid systems however, WestGrid will evaluate proposals requesting for allocations on older systems. The WestGrid RAC reserves the right to make allocations on the most appropriate system given technical requirements and availability of resources. Although users can request the system they would like to use, there is no guarantee their allocation will be made on the system requested.

Allocations will be valid for one year. WestGrid will also accept interim proposals for special cases outside of the regular call. 

Please note that the NRAC expects to issue a second Call for Proposals early in 2010 and at this point WestGrid anticipates participating in this call.

Criteria for WestGrid RAC Proposal

All WestGrid users who have existing RAC allocations are required to resubmit proposals if they require their allocation to continue. Although this includes users who submitted proposals in March 2009, it is expected that these requests can be resubmitted with little to no adjustments. The WestGrid RAC will evaluate the submitted proposals in the context of the overall usage of the facilities. It is expected that people making requests for enhanced resource allocations through the WestGrid RAC will already have experience using WestGrid resources. If you are making a request to the WestGrid RAC you should demonstrate the need for a large amount of resource access (for example if you need more than 2% of any WestGrid resource for a prolonged period, or more than 20% of a resource for more than one day). Also, please demonstrate if you can make effective use of the resources being requested. Although users can specify a preference for a system on which they would like to run their jobs, the WestGrid RAC reserves the right to make allocates on the most appropriate system given technical requirements and availability of resources.

Users with large storage needs must make a request for a storage allocation. Users requiring more than 2TB of data in a volume that is backed up to tape, or more than 5TB of data in a volume that is not backed up to tape are required to make a WestGrid RAC request. Although users can specify a preference for where stored data will be allocated the RAC reserves the right to allocate the storage where appropriate.

For smaller requirements, the WestGrid support staff will attempt to assist you in getting access to the resources needed. If you are having difficulty getting access to the resources, or if you are not sure if you should make a WestGrid RAC request, please contact the WestGrid support staff to seek advice (support@westgrid.ca).

WestGrid users should read the criteria for submitting an NRAC call to ensure they should be submitting to the WestGrid RAC as opposed to the NRAC.

NRAC and WestGrid RAC proposals will be submitted to the Compute Canada system along with proposals for all other Compute Canada local RAC resources. Compute Canada will then send proposals to the appropriate Local RAC.

WestGrid RAC Proposal

Note: Users must register on the Compute Canada database and receive their Compute Canada ID (see https://ccdb.computecanada.org/) in order to submit a WestGrid RAC Proposal. Maximum three page limit. The 3-page limit can be waived upon consultation with the RAC chair, for example if there is a large number of PI's.

Cover Sheet:

• Project Title
• Principal Investigators (name, department, institution, contact information)
• Co-applicants (name, department, institution)
• Brief CV for each PI (any Canadian granting agency CV, such as NSERC, CFI, Common Canadian CV, etc, will be accepted)

Research Proposal:

• Short description of the research project
• Describe the scientific rationale for the project and the scientific achievements expected, including a timescale and financial and other support for this project
• Progress on this project in the last year (if applicable)
• Justification of the need for the particular computing resources requested

Technical Issues:

• Is there a particular national platform resource(s) that is being requested and why?
• Amount of computing required (number of CPUs, memory) and for what period of time. Include the duration of single runs and the number of processors used in each run.
• Amount of short-term and long-term storage required (disk, tape).
• Software needs (compilers, debuggers, tools, commercial packages, etc.)
• If the program runs in parallel, how well does it scale as the number of processors is increased?
• Indicate if you anticipate that your resource requirements will vary over the next year. If so, for which periods do you expect to need increased allocation. Any additional information about when resources will be required will help the NRAC in the allocation process.

Once completed, proposals should be submitted through the application submission page that can be accessed through your Compute Canada database portal account (see https://ccdb.computecanada.org/).

WestGrid RAC relationship to NRAC

WestGrid has made every attempt to streamline its RAC call and process with the NRAC call and process. Should a conflict arise between the procedures of the WestGrid RAC and the NRAC, this should be brought to the attention of the WestGrid RAC and NRAC and the appropriate parties will be involved to ensure resolution.

In accordance with CFI rules, the 40%/60% NRAC/LRAC allocation responsibility reflects the division of powers between the NRAC and the LRACs. It is NRAC policy to regard the 40% as a number integrated over time and, therefore, there may be 100% allocation of a machine on some occasions and 0% on others. Depending on NRAC allocations some WestGrid systems might be unavailable for periods of time. Significant warning will be given to WestGrid users and every effort will be made to ensure the disruption to existing users is minimal.

Submission Date

Proposals must be submitted electronically to Compute Canada on or before Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 16:00 EDT (extended).

Evaluation of Proposals

The WestGrid RAC will evaluate the proposals and notify applicants by email no later than October 9, 2009.

Privacy Policy

Confidentiality of information

Compute Canada and WestGrid will safeguard the information that it receives from applicants. It instructs reviewers to keep all information confidential and to use it only for review purposes. Applicants who have particular concerns about confidentiality should consult Jill Kowalchuk, Chief Administrative Officer, WestGrid at kowalchuk@westgrid.ca or Susan Baldwin, Executive Director, Compute Canada at susan.baldwin@computecanada.org.

Use of Personal Information

All personal information collected by Compute Canada and WestGrid is used to review applications. Such information may be shared with relevant officials in the relevant consortium and/or to their research institution.

Public Information

WestGrid and Compute Canada will post the following information on its website for allocations that are made:

Name

Department/Institution

Project Title

Allocation (machine and resource amount)

Term of Allocation