New to the NOAA RDHPCS Program?

Welcome! The information below introduces how we structure user accounts, projects, and system allocations. It’s all you need to know about getting to work. In general, NOAA RDHPCS resources are granted to projects in allocations on systems, and are made available to the users associated with each project.

Applying for a user account

Collaborators involved with an approved and activated NOAA RDHPCS project can apply for a user account associated with it. There are several steps in receiving a user account, and we’re here to help you through them.

Note

Project PIs do not receive a user account with project creation, and must apply for user account to access the NOAA RDHPCS.

Once you have a NOAA.gov email address, you can request an RDHPCS account through the Account Information Managment system, AIM. Visit the Account Information Management website and request access to the RDHPCS project. Log into AIM using your NOAA email credentials, review your profile for accuracy, and request the RDHPCS project.

Once this request is approved, you will receive an email containing instructions about your next steps. These include requesting access to further projects and completing the RSA token request form. Confer with your supervisor and colleagues to identify the project(s) to request.

First time users must:

1. Have an active NOAA.gov email account. Your local line office is responsible for creating your account, or re-activating your account if you have been marked inactive.

2. Have accurate information in NOAA Accounts Portal

3. Have enabled Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) for NOAA Single Sign On (SSO).

4. Apply for an RDHPCS account using the Account Information Management website and request access to the “rdhpcs” project.

5. Request an RSA SecurID token via the Account Information Management website. Software tokens are faster to issue and are preferred if you have a smartphone.

6. Request a Common Access Card (CAC)

NOAA will conduct a security investigation that takes 6-12 weeks. This will include a fingerprint check, background check, and DOC public trust investigation.

Foreign national participants have special hoops to jump through.

Once your account request has been vetted by the security team, you will receive an email from the accounts team and will be able to proceed to request access to projects allocated to systems.

Note

NOAA RDHPCS systems use a long user name which is usually the same as your NOAA email user name. These pages frequently refer to this long user name as First.Last.

Attention

You must access your NOAA.gov email account regularly. All communications about the NOAA RDHPCS program will be sent to your NOAA.gov email account.

Request access to RDHPCS projects

Attention

You must be able to access the NOAA Accounts Portal before proceeding.

Once you have an RDHPCS account, you can request access to projects that have allocations on systems.

1. Consult with your supervisor and colleagues to identify the project(s) to request access to.

2. Access the Account Information Management to request project access. Provide a clear reason for your request.

3. The principal investigator (PI) of the project must approve your project request. They will be automatically notified and regularly reminded of open requests.

4. Once your project request is approved, a welcome email will be sent to you.

Requesting access to MSU-HPC systems

The Hercules and Orion systems comprise MSU-HPC, managed by Mississippi State University. Follow these steps to get an Account for MSU-HPC.

General Access Requirements

• All users, regardless of citizenship, follow the same process to

  receive MSU-HPC access.

• NOAA’s RDHPCS users will need to use MSU’s HPC Account Management

  System and Process. RDHPCS Portfolio Managers have access to MSU’s Account Management Tool.

• The Portfolio Manager (PfM) must have allocations to use the MSU-HPC

  system.

• MSU’s Account Management system requires user

  authentication. Principal Investigators (PIs) and Portfolio Managers must maintain an active MSU account to manage their projects online.

Note

The designated PI or Portfolio Manager must request that a MSU user account be created and the user assigned to their project.

Complete the following steps for MSU-HPC access.

• Collaborate with a NOAA research lab and be associated with an active NOAA research project. Each project has an assigned PI who is responsible for the project and the project members. The PI or PfM requests the project assignment and account creation.

• New user completes NOAA account request form.

• New user receives an email from MSU to change password, complete required training, and setup the Duo dual-factor authentication.

• Within three days, the user changes their password.

• The user completes required training.

• The user sets up the Duo App on their device.

The User now has login access to MSU-HPC.

Note

A PfM PI who loses MSU account access must issue a help request. Send email to rdhpcs.orion.help@noaa.gov to open an OTRS ticket. A new user who has any issues with completing MSU process, should send email to rdhpcs.orion.help@noaa.gov to open a help ticket.

Account Activity Requirements: Suspension, Deactivation, Reactivation

Your NOAA RDHPCS account must be kept active by accessing the RDHPCS at least once every 90 days.

User accounts are suspended when they have been inactive for 90 days or more. The user will be notified at their NOAA.gov address if their account has been suspended, with instructions on reactivation. To reactivate your account, send an email to: rdhpcs.aim.help@noaa.gov with the subject line: Reactivate First.Last. This creates an OTRS ticket to reactivate the account.

Depending on the length of account suspension, there may be additional steps to fully reactivate your account:

Reactivate within seven days

If you reactivate your account within seven days, your RSA token is re-enabled at the same time. Once your account and token are re-enabled, you may log into your respective resource and project.

Reactivate after seven days

If your account has been suspended for more than seven days and you had a software token, you must apply for a new token using the Account Information Management website.

Deactivated Accounts

If your account remains suspended for more than 270 days, it will be deactivated and lose all project associations. You will need to reapply for NOAA RDHPCS access.

Request a New Allocation or Project

Allocation requests currently flow via helpdesk requests. Send an email to the appropriate HPCS-specific help address.

Projects can be requested via the Account Information Management website.

Common Access Card (CAC)

The Common Access Card (CAC), is another means of access to RDHPCS resources for both Web and SSH access. To obtain a CAC, work with your local admin services team as they need to start the application process. Some labs can issue CACs on-site, otherwise you will have to visit a RAPIDS site. The site locator website is ID Card Office Online. SSH logins with a CAC require additional software.