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

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

The RWTH and HPC account both require a separate multifactor 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).

Note: If you are affiliated with RWTH Aachen University, you may skip some of the steps described here.

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

1. Creating a RWTH Account

If you are a RWTH student or employee you already have an RWTH account and can skip this step. Others must obtain an account through the 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 got sponsored by an RWTH employee
• You got sponsored by the PI of a computing time project*

* currently not possible - reach out to us for assistance

If you received an email with a coupon:

        → Follow the instructions described here to create a RWTH account
        → Make sure to note down your user ID (e.g. ab123456) and password

2. Setting Up RWTH MFA

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

        → Log into the IDM Selfservice
        → Follow the instructions described here and create a TAN list
        → Create an additional token (e.g. TOTP with a smartphone).

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

With your RWTH account, you can now create an HPC account in the RegApp. Mind that the user-id of your HPC account is identical to your RWTH account.

        → Follow the instructions described here to register for an HPC account.

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

        → Follow the instructions described here to set a password.

To use your HPC account you need to set up a multi-factor authentication (MFA) method. Note that this one is different to the RWTH MFA you have set up before.

        → Follow the instructions here to set up MFA for your HPC account.

The cluster is accessible only from within the RWTH network or its partner networks. If you are on an external network, you need to use the Cisco Secure Client to establish a VPN connection to the RWTH network.

        → If you are on Windows, follow the instructions provided here
        → On Mac follow these instructions.

7. Connect to the HPC Cluster

After completing all the steps above, you should be able to log into the cluster. The easiest way to test the connection is to login to the HPC JupyterHub:

        → Visit the HPC JupyterHub Site
        → Enter your credentials on the page

If the site loads and you can log in, you are ready to use the HPC infrastructure.

For more information about the HPC Jupyterhub, please see the extended documentation. Access to the cluster is also possible via SSH or remote desktop.

To maximize your efficiency with the HPC infrastructure and the Linux operating system, working via the console is recommended. The HPC-Wiki provides some helpful tutorials and resources.

For any tangible workloads you will need to apply to a computing time project. Depending on your needs different projects may be appropriate for you. Reach out to us if you need help.