HPC/FAQ

"I cannot log in" or "My password does not work"

Check host names

Make sure you connect to the correct host names, namely mega.cnm.anl.gov for the SSH gateway and clogin.cnm.anl.gov when onsite. Do not use "carbon".

Check requirements

• Users who are non-US citizens require a current visa for access. On expiration of previous registration items, your Argonne login will be disabled, possibly in the middle of a proposal lifetime, and you may suddenly find that you can no longer access mega. Review and renew your details at https://beam.aps.anl.gov/pls/apsweb/ufr_main_pkg.usr_start_page .
• Access to mega requires an active proposal. Access will be disabled approximately 6 weeks after your last active proposal expired. To identify your proposal times, ask your principal investigator (PI) to scan his or her email archive for mails containing the words "Work Approval Received" in the subject.

Note that it may take about 1–3 hours for a new proposal to be recognized as active again on mega.

Verify your password

Visit https://credentials.anl.gov/ and verify that your username and password are correct.

Request a password resest

• To have your password reset, email the CNM User Office, at [email protected].
• When you connect to mega with still your temporary password in place, mega will ask for a new password. You can safely change your password at this point.
• You can also change your password at https://credentials.anl.gov/ - However, a change there will take a few hours to become active on mega.

Review instructions

• Read HPC/Network Access, and follow the instructions for your platform.

Request help for general network or connectivity issues

Contact the NST IT help desk at [email protected] .

Be as specific as possible – include the following in your request:

• The exact error message you get. Copy & Paste the message text, or take a screenshot and attach it to your mail.
• The command you are trying to run or the menu item you choose.
• The hostname you're trying to reach, if it's not evident from the command above.
• The username you use to connect - ditto.
• The software name and version you use to connect (e.g. SSH, VNC, or a browser).
• Your operating system and version.

"I'd like to use program X"

Check if the application is already available on Carbon

Either:

• Browse the Application Catalog, or
• View the catalog on the Carbon command line:

module avail
module -l avail 2>&1 | less

The second form gives you browsable output.

If you cannot find the application

1. Describe the problem you are trying to solve – it may well be that we can suggest an alternative solution.
2. Provide one or more URLs relevant to the software – be specific.

To report a general problem

Send mail to [email protected]

Consider the following advice:

• How To Ask Questions The Smart Way, by Eric S. Raymond, open source pioneer.
• How to Report Bugs Effectively, by Simon Tatham, programmer.