Ascend Software Environment

The Next Gen Ascend (hereafter referred to as “Ascend”) cluster is now running on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 9, introducing several software-related changes compared to the RHEL 7/8 environment used on the Pitzer and original Ascend cluster. These updates provide access to modern tools and libraries but may also require adjustments to your workflows. Key software changes and available software are outlined in the following sections.

Updated Compilers and Toolchains

The system GCC (GNU Compiler Collection) is now at version 11. Additionally, newer versions of GCC and other compiler suites, including the Intel Compiler Classic and Intel oneAPI, are available and can be accessed through the modules system. These new compiler versions may impact code compilation, optimization, and performance. We encourage users to test and validate their applications in this new environment to ensure compatibility and performance.

Python Upgrades

The system Python has been upgraded to version 3.9, and the system Python 2 is no longer available on Ascend. Additionaly, newer versions of Python 3 are available through the modules system. This change may impact scripts and packages that rely on older versions of Python. We recommend users review and update their code to ensure compatibility or create custom environments as needed.

Available Software

Selected software packages have been installed on Ascend. You can use module spider to view the available packages after logging into Ascend. Additionally, check this page to see the available packages. Please note that the package list on the webpage is not yet complete.

After the Ascend cluster goes into full production (tentatively on March 31), you can view the installed software by visiting Browse Software and select "Ascend" under the "System".

If the software required for your research is not available, please contact  OSC Help to reqeust the software.

Key change

A key change is that you are now required to specify the module version when loading any modules. For example, instead of using module load intel, you must use module load intel/2021.10.0. Failure to specify the version will result in an error message. 

Below is an example message when loading gcc without specifying the version:

$ module load gcc
Lmod has detected the following error:  These module(s) or extension(s) exist but cannot be loaded as requested: "gcc".

You encountered this error for one of the following reasons:
1. Missing version specification: On Ascend, you must specify an available version.
2. Missing required modules: Ensure you have loaded the appropriate compiler and MPI modules.

Try: "module spider gcc" to view available versions or required modules.

If you need further assistance, please contact oschelp@osc.edu with the subject line "lmod error: gcc"

Revised Software Modules

Some modules have been updated, renamed, or removed to align with the standards of the package managent system. For more details, please refer to the software page of the specific software you are interested in. Notable changes include:

Licensed Software

No licensed software packages are available on Ascend.

Known Issues

We are actively identifying and addressing issues in the new environment. Please report any problems to the support team by contacting OSC Help to ensure a smooth transition. Notable issues include:

Additional known issues can be found on our Known Issues page. To view issues related to the Ascend cluster, select "Ascend" under the "Category".