Account Information

Getting an Account

Access to the cluster is organized around research groups, and everyone logs in with their access.caltech.edu credentials. How you get started depends on your situation: a brand-new group needs to be set up with PI authorization first, while if your group is already on the cluster you just need to be added to it.

For New Groups

Starting a new group? Email help-hpc@caltech.edu or open a help ticket with the details below, and we’ll get it set up:

Preferred group name — no spaces; hyphens and underscores are fine.
Full chargeable PTA — the actual account string, not an alias.
Authorized administrators — who should be able to manage the group’s membership.
Authorized compute users — everyone who should be able to run jobs under the group.

For Existing Groups

If your group already uses the cluster, you don’t need to file anything with us — just ask your group’s administrator to add you, and you’ll be able to log in once they do.

Multi-Factor Authentication

Before you can log in, you’ll need to set up multi-factor authentication. It’s required for everyone, and it uses Duo — the same system Caltech uses for its other services.

Self-Registration

You can enroll yourself in about a minute at https://access.caltech.edu/my_duo/.

Supported Methods

Method	Description
Duo Mobile	iPhone/Android app (recommended)
Hardware Token	Yubikey available at Caltech Bookstore

Tip

Stuck on MFA setup? IMSS is glad to walk you through it — just reach out.

Eligibility Certification

Once your account is created, you’ll receive a certification email with a link to the HPC portal. Following it to complete the eligibility certification is a quick step that confirms you’re cleared to use the cluster under the terms below.

HPC End-User Agreement

Caltech complies with all applicable U.S. laws and regulations related to the export of products, technology, and services.

Your use of Caltech’s HPC is subject to the conditions listed below.

By using Caltech’s HPC you understand, agree, and certify that:

You will not use the HPC for foreign (non-U.S.) military end-use applications.
You are not a foreign (non-U.S.) military end-user and will not use the HPC to perform work for foreign (non-U.S.) military (including, but not limited to, national armed services, national guard, national or local police, government intelligence, national security, government reconnaissance/surveillance, department/ministry of defense, department of energy).
You will not use the HPC for any technology that is specifically designed for or that contributes to the design, development, manufacture, production, testing, stockpiling, or use of any nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons.
You will not use the HPC in the development, or production, of any part, component, or equipment that will be used in a supercomputer located in or destined for a Country Group D:5 country or Macau.

Warning

Failure to comply with these use restrictions will result in immediate revocation of your permission to use Caltech’s HPC and subject you to possible sanctions.

Please contact Jin Chang at jin@caltech.edu if you have questions about this end-user agreement and certification.

Country Group D:5

D:5 countries include Afghanistan, Belarus, Burma, Cambodia, Central African Republic, China (PRC), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Lebanon, Libya, Russia, Somalia, the Republic of South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.