EZHPC: easy access to high performance computing

Abstract

EZHPC is a simple object access protocol (SOAP)-based Web service that represents an application programming interface (API) for securely accessing and manipulating high performance computing (HPC) resources. This service was created to make it easy for users who are unfamiliar with the HPC environment but would benefit from the utilization of these resources. It not only promotes HPC resources but also allows for the development of future applications through the reuse, of this architecture. The API is exposed to developers as a SOAP-based Web service. Numerous API method calls are available, some of which include, but are not limited to, the ability to authenticate users against the HPC Kerberos system, move files to and from the HPC systems, submit and monitor batch jobs, access the data management system (DMS), etc. The Web service paradigm was chosen so that any type of user front end could be constructed to interact with the HPC resources. This includes stand alone user applications. Personal digital assistant (PDA)-based applications, Web applications, or inclusion in existing applications (ArcInfo, watershed modeling system (WMS), groundwater modeling system (GMS), surface-water modeling system (SMS), etc. A fully functional client application has been developed to demonstrate the usage of the API. The authors present a detailed inspection of the EZHPC architecture. The structure, usage, and security implications are described for each component of the system. In addition, the HPC-issued Kerberos user utilities, the Web server components, and the database component is discussed. The client reference implementation is also covered. The presentation concludes with a summary of future enhancements and how these enhancements expand the functionality of EZHPC, increasing its value to the user community.