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FAQ
- nathan butterworth
Is RDS going being decommissioned?
No. The Research Data Storage (RDS) at Sydney is the recommended place to store all research project data now and into the future.
Access & Accounts
How do I get access to NCI?
You need to create a user account on NCI and be added to an approved NCI project.
I created an NCI account but my access is still pending. Who approves my account?
A new account must be tied to a project for approval. Once your username joins a project your account will be created. Approval to join an exiting project goes to the Chief Investigator. Approval to create a new project goes to the Sydney Scheme Manager (currently Nathaniel Butterworth or Thomas Mauch).
Do I need a UniKey to access NCI?
Not strictly. You only need an NCI account and must be part of an approved project. But to create projects in the Sydney Scheme you must have Sydney University email and thus a unikey.
Which email should I use to sign up?
You must use your official University of Sydney student email (@sydney.edu.au) to create projects in the Sydney Scheme. External collaborators may join Sydney Scheme projects, they just cannot create them.
Using Gadi & NCI Services
Can I log into NCI Gadi using PuTTY?
Yes, PuTTY supports SSH and can be used to connect to Gadi.
Can I install my own software on Gadi?
Yes, while NCI provides globally installed software modules, you can manage and install your own software on Gadi and Nirin. It is recommended to use containers for software.You can request software to be installed globally via help@nci.org.au
Can I install Anaconda and create my own virtual environments?
Yes, you can install Anaconda and set up virtual environments. However, this will quickly fill your inode limit, so it is recommended to use containers for conda. Or join a specialised environment that has conda installed
Will I need to modify my PBS scripts to run on Gadi?
Modifications will be necessary, especially for resource requests and job scheduling differences. See the NCI documentation and transitioning guide for specifics.
What are the different storage directories on NCI Gadi?
/home/<user>(10GB, persistent)
/scratch/(unlimited, high-speed I/O, subject to a 90-day purge for unused files)
/g/data(persistent storage, but not backed up, limited by project)
Can others access my Virtual Machine (VM) on Nirin?
By default, access is restricted to you unless you explicitly share it. You can make a machine publicly accessible via http for example, or add users to the machine, or add users to the project.
Resource Allocation & Billing
How are cloud resources (Nirin) charged?
Charges are based on Service Units (SU). You receive a default allocation of 1000 SU, and additional SUs can be requested under the Sydney Scheme.
Are Gadi and Nirin SUs shared?
Yes, they are considered part of the same allocation system.
Is there a limit on the number of SUs a project can request?
While there is no strict cap, allocations should align with actual needs. Unused SUs (>50% unused) at the end of the quarter will be revoked and redistributed.
How do I request more storage in /g/data?
Email nci-sydney.scheme@sydney.edu.au currently, soon you can mange via nci.sydney.edu.au
Data Transfer & Migration
How do I transfer large amounts of data between NCI and RDS?
Use copyq, the data transfer queue on Gadi. While Artemis is still active, you can also use dtq. Globus coming soon.
Will my existing Artemis projects be migrated to Gadi automatically?
No, you must set up new projects manually on NCI and move your data manually.
How can I estimate my KSU usage?
Check the .o_usage files from Artemis jobs and refer to the Gadi queue charge rate documentation. Ask for your current Artemis usage.
What alternatives are available to NCI Gadi for work in areas like neuroimaging or bioinformatics? Visit our transition page for alternative options to NCI Gadi.
Training & Documentation
Are there training sessions available for new users?
Yes, training sessions and documentation are available. Visit:
Can we get a simple, one-page guide for NCI services?
Refer to the Sydney Research Computing documentation as a starting point.
How can I access my project usage statistics?
Use nci_account command on Gadi or check https://my.nci.org.au/mancini/project/
Job Scheduling & Limits
What is the maximum job wall time on Gadi?
The longest allowed wall time is 48 hours, but shorter limits may apply for large node requests.
Can we request exceptions for longer jobs?
No, jobs must be structured to fit within the 48-hour limit.
What if my simulation requires more than 48 hours?
See the guide or contact research-cloud.project@sydney.edu.au for options for long-running jobs.