Software

System Software

The Central Cluster runs Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9. Standard build tools and common system libraries are available on all nodes.

User Software

Users can install their own software in home or group directories.

Tip

Group directories offer much more space (20 TB vs 50 GB) and are recommended for privately licensed software with group-specific optimizations.

Pre-installed Software

Pre-built packages are available through the module system, including MPI implementations, compilers, libraries, and common applications.

List available modules:

module avail

Installation Methods

Module System

Pre-installed software managed by HPC staff.

Spack

Unified software installation and module management tool. See spack.io.

Anaconda/Conda

Recommended for scientific Python environments. See Software and Modules.

Singularity/Apptainer Containers

For complex software stacks. See Containers Guide.

Software Guides

Institutional Licenses

Caltech maintains institutional license servers for several commercial applications. When you module load one of these on the cluster, your job draws a license from a central pool — no per-user setup required.

Currently covered: list pending — email help-hpc@caltech.edu to check coverage for a specific application.

If your group has its own license, install the software in your /resnick/groups/<group> directory and point its config at your group’s license server.

Request New Software

To request installation of new software, email help-hpc@caltech.edu. We can install community packages centrally via the module system, help configure containers for complex stacks, or advise on licensed applications.