How to Log into SDSC Comet and Run a Test Job

Introduction

This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to log into the SDSC Comet supercomputer and run a test job. By the end of this guide, you will understand the process of accessing Comet and executing a basic job to ensure your setup is correct.

Table of Contents

1. Access Requirements
2. Logging Into SDSC Comet
3. Creating a Test Job Script
4. Submitting the Test Job
5. Checking Job Status
6. Conclusion & Additional Resources

Access Requirements

Before logging into SDSC Comet, ensure you have:

• An active SDSC account.
• SSH client installed on your local machine.
• Familiarity with basic terminal commands.

Logging Into SDSC Comet

1. Open Terminal:
   Launch your terminal (Linux/Mac) or Command Prompt (Windows with SSH client installed).

2. Use SSH Command:
   Enter the following command, replacing your_username with your actual SDSC username:

   ssh your_username@comet.sdsc.edu
   

   If prompted, enter your password.

3. Access Confirmation:
   Once logged in, you should see a welcome message from SDSC Comet, confirming your access.

Creating a Test Job Script

1. Navigate to Your Home Directory:
   You can navigate using the following command:

   cd ~
   

2. Create a New Job Script File:
   Use a text editor (like nano, vim, or vi) to create a new job script. For example:

   nano test_job.sh
   

3. Job Script Content:
   Insert the following content into your script:

   #!/bin/bash
   #SBATCH --job-name=test_job      # Job name
   #SBATCH --output=test_job.out     # Output file
   #SBATCH --time=00:01:00           # Time limit hrs:min:sec
   #SBATCH --partition=compute       # Partition name
   
   echo "Hello World from Comet!"
   

   Save and exit the editor.

Submitting the Test Job

1. Submit the Job:
   Use the sbatch command to submit your job script:

   sbatch test_job.sh
   

2. Note the Job ID:
   Upon submission, note the Job ID provided in the output. You will need this to check the job status.

Checking Job Status

1. Check Job Queue:
   Use the squeue command to see your job in the queue:

   squeue -u your_username
   

2. Monitoring Output Files:
   Once the job is complete, check the output file test_job.out to see the results of your job execution:

   cat test_job.out
   

Conclusion & Additional Resources

In this guide, you have learned how to log into SDSC Comet, create a test job script, submit the job, and check the job’s status. For further assistance or inquiries, visit the following resources:

• SDSC User Guide
• SDSC Slack

For any additional questions, you can contact UCR Research Computing at research-computing@ucr.edu.