NIH HPC News & Announcements
Upcoming NIH HPC class: Introduction to Linux Containers with Singularity
Date: 25 February 2020 14:02:57
From: David Godlove
There's a lot of buzz around Linux containers, so what are they?!
Linux container platforms such as Singularity and Docker allow you to install
and use software within self-contained, portable, and reproducible environments.
Linux containers allow you to do things like:
- Run an application from the Sylabs Container Library or Docker Hub without
actually installing anything
- Quickly and easily use software with complicated dependencies and environment
requirements
- Use a package manager (like apt or yum) to easily install software without
root privileges and without changing anything on the host system
- Run an application that was built for a different distribution of Linux than
the host OS
- Run an application with the same environment reproducibly on multiple systems
- Archive an analysis for long-term reproducibility and/or publication
This class will take place over 2 mornings. Students will be provided with
laptops (as needed) and ssh access to disposable virtual machines. You will
learn what a Linux container is, how it is similar to and differs from a virtual
machine, and a bit about leading container platforms and their intended usage.
You will learn how to install Singularity and use it to run existing containers
from Docker Hub and the Sylabs Container Library. Then you will learn how to
build your own containers from scratch and publish them so that others can use
them. We will finish the class with some advanced examples showing how to
tightly integrate your container environment with the environment on the host
system and how to "fake" the installation of an entire application on the host
system through Singularity.
Requirements:
- Familiarity with the Linux/Unix command line
- The desire to learn and have some fun!
The class is free but registration is required for both webcast or classroom
attendance. Students who attend in person will be provided access to virtual
machines, and webcast students will need to obtain their own cloud instance or
desktop VM to follow along. You can register at https://hpc.nih.gov/nih/classes/
HPC users will have priority enrollment for classroom attendance.
Date/Time: Tue Mar 10, 2020 - Wed Mar 11, 2020 / 09:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Eastern)
Location: Bldg 10, NIH Library, Training Room 2
Instructor: Dave Godlove (NIH HPC staff)
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Please contact staff@hpc.nih.gov with any questions about the NIH HPC Systems
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