Cardinal Software Environment

The Cardinal cluster is now running on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 9, introducing several software-related changes compared to the RHEL 7 environment used on the Owens and Pitzer clusters. 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 Cardinal. 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

To view the software currently installed on the Cardinal cluster, visit Browse Software and select "Cardinal" under the "System". We are actively working on software installations, but please note that some packages might not be available during the Early User Program phase.

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

Several licensed software packages have been installed on Cardinal and will transition from Owens: Abaqus, ANSYS, COMSOL, Schrödinger, STAR-CCM+, Stata, and LS-DYNA. Schrödinger, COMSOL, and Stata will be fully migrated to Cardinal by November 4, once it enters full production. The remaining licensed software will be removed from Owens during the December 17 downtime.

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 Cardinal cluster, select "Cardinal" under the "Category".