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Node Types

There are 4 main types of Hyak nodes:

  • Login

  • Build

  • Interactive

  • Execute

Each has a different function and different levels of connectivity.

We're guaranteed one node allocation at any given time, some nodes count towards this allocation, some do not.

Login Node

  • Shell prompt looks like [UWNetID@mox2 ~]$
  • The first node you encounter upon logging in.
  • Access to this node type is user-specific (i.e. only you have access to your login node).
  • For file transfers and manipulation.
  • This node has internet connectivity.
  • Not for running programs, program compiling, or other time/compute power intensive tasks.

Build Node

  • Enter Build node from Login node (specify time needed):

    • srun -p build --time=h:mm:ss --mem=100G --pty /bin/bash

  • Shell prompt looks like [UWNetID@nXXXX ~]$. (XXXX will actually be a number)

  • For downloading and compiling software from external sources
  • This node has internet connectivity
  • Not for compute power intensive tasks.
  • Access to this node type is granted to all users of the Hyak (mox) system across the entire university.
  • A limited number of build nodes are available across all Hyak (mox) users, so there may be a wait to access a build node at times.
  • When finished, exit a build node by typing exit and then press the Enter key.

Interactive Node

  • Shell prompt looks like [UNetID@nXXXX ~]$. (XXXX will actually be a number)

  • Enter Interactive node from Login node (specify time needed):

    • srun -p srlab -A srlab --time=h:mm:ss --mem=100G --pty /bin/bash

  • For testing, short run/low power tasks, and experimentation

  • Access to this node type is limited to the Roberts Lab group, but is limited to a single group member at one time.
  • Cannot use Execute node while Interactive node is in use.
  • This node does not have internet connectivity.
  • Not for compute power or time intensive tasks. Has file size/number limits.
  • When finished, exit an interactive node by typing exit and then press the Enter key.

Execute Node

  • Runs computing jobs submitted via an sbatch script.
  • For execution of large tasks. The "heavy lifting" node.
  • No shell prompt
  • This node does not have internet connectivity
  • Access to this node type is limited to the Roberts Lab group, but is limited to a single group member at one time.
  • Cannot use Interactive node while Execute node is in use.
  • Creates slurm-job#.out files in working directory specified in sbatch execution script. This contains all standard out output from the program. This can be monitored via cat or tail from a Login node.
  • top and other task manager functions can only be accessed after sshing in to the node.