Introduction to PDC Systems Course

Welcome to the first “Introduction to PDC Systems” course for 2024! This spring, the event was fully booked, welcoming 40 participants from a variety of backgrounds for a comprehensive two-day workshop.

The first day was dedicated to providing a thorough overview of PDC, with sessions covering the basics of Linux and the Slurm queuing system, alongside an introduction to the graphical interface with ThinLinc. Reflecting the increasing popularity of programming tools, we also introduced Python and Jupyter notebooks, as well as Singularity for managing containers on Dardel.

On the second day, we shifted our focus to technical skills, including the fundamentals of CPU and GPU compilation on Dardel, equipping our more advanced users with the necessary skills to compile their own software. For the first time, we expanded our curriculum to include an introduction to various scientific fields where our application experts can provide targeted support. This new section is in line with the strategic shift of the National Academic Infrastructure for Supercomputing in Sweden (NAISS) towards offering support based on areas of expertise rather than being cluster-specific. The areas of expertise presented were machine learning, molecular modelling, materials theory, computational fluid dynamics, and bioinformatics. We also took the opportunity to showcase flagship software that is developed or co-developed at PDC, such as VeloxChem, GROMACS, and Neko.

The participation level was good, demonstrating strong engagement throughout the event. The feedback we received has been invaluable and will be instrumental in shaping our training programs in the coming years. PDC is committed to continuously improving our offerings, and the organisers thank all participants for their active involvement and insightful contributions to a successful introduction. We look forward to seeing you at further training events later this year! Stay tuned to the PDC Events web page www.pdc.kth.se/about/events  or follow PDC on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kth.pdc .