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Chapter 1: Introduction
FNALU is a UNIX computing resource which is available to the laboratory at large and managed by the Computing Division. It provides batch and interactive computing on IBM, Silicon Graphics, Sun, and DEC platforms. The primary file system on FNALU is AFS, described in Chapter 7. AFS is designed explicitly to serve as a distributed file system both within a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN). FUE is installed on FNALU, and it handles the provided software products in a way that appears the same to all users of the cluster, regardless of platform.
Accounts on the FNALU cluster fall into two categories, based on the user's resource requirements. If your resource requirements are small (< 50Mbytes/1% CPU), you can request an account using the Computer Account Request Form. To request an account allowing the use of resources beyond this limit, you need to submit a Project Request Form on which you indicate your estimated resource requirements. Both forms are accessible from the Computing Division home page in Forms under the heading Services. Read the Proper Use of the Computing Facilities Form (also in Forms) before filling out the appropriate form. Send your completed form to compdiv@fnal.gov, or deliver it to the Computing Division administration area, on the Wilson Hall 8th floor cross-over.
Refer to the FNALU User's Guide, document number GU0008, for a description of the machines that comprise the FNALU cluster and the available software.
FNALU is intended to be a general-purpose, multi-platform cluster with a focus on physics and engineering requirements. The intended uses of FNALU can be summarized into a few categories: