Intro to FH Cluster Computing

Many scientific computing tasks cannot be done locally on a personal computer due to constraints in computation, data, and memory. In this workshop, you will learn how to connect to the Fred Hutch SLURM high performance cluster to transfer files, load scientific software, compute interactively, and launch jobs!

Class information

  • Quarters Offered: Fall 2025, Spring 2026

  • Dates: May 8, 2026

  • Time: Noon - 1:30pm PT

  • Time commitment: 1.5 Hours

  • Audience: Researchers who want to use Fred Hutch’s SLURM high performance cluster to run software and analysis at scale. Participants should have basic familiarity with using the command line.

  • Prerequisites: Intro to Command Line

  • Followed by: Bash for Bioinformatics

Learning Objectives (LOs)

  • Describe the types of nodes and filesystems on FH’s cluster.

  • Use the command line to log in to the FH cluster, and submit a simple job to run.

  • Understand different ways of requesting resources for a cluster job and use them for job submission.

  • Use already-installed software for job submission and log-in to interactive mode.

  • Describe how one would upload and download files from the FH cluster.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What kind of computing resource do I need?

    You will need to have access to the command line, a network connection to Fred Hutch's research network, and have your Fred Hutch account approved by Scientific Computing. See instructions on the registration form.

  • How often is this class taught?

    This workshop is offered on average twice a year. Check the schedule to see when it will next be offered.

  • Can I work through the materials without taking the class?

    Yes, you can access the course materials on your own any time.

  • Can I take the class if I’m not an employee at Fred Hutch?

    The class is open to members of the Cancer Consortium including Fred Hutch, the University of Washington, and Seattle Children’s Hospital. But note that the content is focused on accessing the Fred Hutch cluster. Some instructions may not apply to clusters at other institutions.