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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)¶
How can I change my password?¶
You cannot change your password on Euler because this system uses ETH authentication. If you want to change your ETH password, then please go to http://password.ethz.ch.
Can I change my default shell?¶
Do you really want to do that? Bash is the default shell for all users. The configuration of our services is complex and everything is tested extensively using bash. It is therefore the only shell that we fully support. You are free to use a different shell, but you are doing so at your own risks.
Why does my 32-bit executable not work on your clusters?¶
Our clusters are pure 64-bit systems. Your 32-bit executable might run without problems in some cases, but there are certain limitations. A 32-bit executable can only use up to 3 GB of virtual memory. If you try to use more, this might result in a segmentation fault or an out of memory error message. The solution for this problem is to recompile your application for 64-bit.
Can I run Windows executables on the clusters?¶
Windows executables do not run under Linux. In order to be able to run your application on our clusters, you need to make sure that it is a 64-bit binary for Linux.
Can you please allow me to run sudo?¶
No, sudo access is not provided for security reasons. You can install software in your home directory or use containers like Singularity.
Why can't I install my application into /usr/bin and /usr/lib64?¶
These are system directories that require administrator privileges. Install your applications in your home directory or use the module system for shared installations.
Can I automatically load modules on login?¶
Yes, you can add module load commands to your .bashrc file.
module load does not work properly, what am I doing wrong?¶
Make sure you're using the correct module name. Use module avail to see available modules and module spider to search for specific software.
In the software overview version X is listed, why does module avail not list it?¶
Some modules might be hidden or require loading a prerequisite module first. Use module spider to find the complete loading sequence.
Can I run an application on the login nodes?¶
Login nodes are for light tasks only (editing files, compiling, submitting jobs). Computational work must be submitted to the batch system Slurm.
Can I access a compute node via ssh?¶
Direct access to compute nodes is not allowed. Use the batch system to run jobs on compute nodes.
My job is terminated with the error message "slurmstepd: error: poll(): Bad address"¶
This error can occur due to various reasons including memory issues or network problems. Check your job's memory usage and contact support if the problem persists.
Why is my job waiting for a long time in the queue?¶
Common reasons:
- High cluster utilization
- Requesting resources that are not available
- Low priority (guest users vs shareholders)
- Requesting too many resources
What is the recommended way to transfer files from/to the cluster?¶
Use rsync or scp for command-line transfers:
For large transfers, consider using the data transfer nodes.
Why is file transfer slow?¶
Possible causes:
- Network congestion
- Many small files (use tar archives)
- Transferring during peak hours
- Suboptimal transfer method
Do I need to be logged in while a job is executed?¶
No, jobs run independently of your login session. You can log out after submitting jobs.
Can I let my co-workers run jobs from my account?¶
No, sharing accounts is not allowed. Each user must have their own account.
What are your recommendations regarding security?¶
- Use strong passwords
- Don't share your credentials
- Keep your software updated
- Be careful with file permissions
- Report security incidents immediately