Workload Management with Moab Cluster Suite

In almost every HPC environment multiple users compete for compute time on HPC clusters. Workload managers (also referred to as resource managers/schedulers) allow users to define and enforce policies for the allocation of compute resources. A policy can, for example, ensure that jobs submitted by engineers working on a high-priority project, are scheduled before jobs from other users. Workload managers allow for aligning cluster use with business and project priorities.

Scyld ClusterWare includes the workload management solution TORQUE for basic scheduling needs. For advanced requirements the Moab Suite from Adaptive Computing is the right solution.

At the core of the Moab Suite is a policy-based job scheduler and event engine that combines intelligent job scheduling with advanced resource reservations. Moab provides a graphical, task-based cluster management interface with monitoring and reporting capabilities. With this intuitive interface administrators can quickly analyze the cluster status, by getting a visual overview of cluster workload conditions, reservations and current resource utilization. Moab also allows for the quick and easy generation of reports for ROI calculations or chargeback accounting.

Moab screenshots.

Moab includes a web-based access portal for universally accessible job submission from any location, without the need to install client software. The portal also enables cluster users to track and manage their own workload.