11 May 2022: The Nimbus build is nearing completion
We are excited to announce that build of the Nimbus cloud supercomputer is progressing well and is nearing completion.

Once finalised, we will run a series of user acceptance tests to ensure the environment is fit for purpose before we start the phased user migration.

Migration in three user centric waves
We will move users onto Nimbus in three user centric waves:

• First wave: PIs will get access to Nimbus
  
• Second wave: Experienced HPC users will get access
• Third wave: New HPC users will get access

We will let all research computing users know their migration date as soon as we can, and we will also invite all users to an onboarding workshop.

Once Nimbus is built, it will replace the Janus cloud development environment, which is currently used by over 40 early access cloud users and new doctoral researchers at the University.

Janus project request for new PhD students
Please request a Janus project account if you are a new PhD student and would like to use the cloud development environment.

Our new portfolio of research computing environments consists of:

• The powerful and highly scalable Nimbus cloud supercomputer
  
• The Anatra HTC cluster earmarked for software applications that can't run in the cloud, such as Gaussian and GaussView.
  
• The GW4’s regional Isambard HPC service.

The new high performance computing environments will deliver:

• Access to a large diversity of compute and data storage options that can meet your evolving research needs,
• Faster results: compute capacity in the cloud can be scaled to fit demand, run bigger and more jobs without queue restrictions,
• Cutting edge hardware: cloud environments give researchers access to the newest hardware, with compute options regularly updated.

The move to a cloud based solution will involve changes to how our academic community uses our research computing facilities.

There is a cost associated with storing data in the cloud, which we need to carefully manage. Cloud computing will also offer you a choice in how you access compute resources. You can either choose a pay-as-you-go service or a cheaper spot compute service that relies on the availability of spare capacity.

The University will continue to provide free access for non-funded research, which will be available via a resource allocation process.