CyberFaces

This module introduces high-performance computing (HPC) services available through local campuses and the national ACCESS program. It begins by explaining what containers are and why they are important for research computing. The session compares Docker and Apptainer (formerly Singularity), highlighting their differences and security considerations on HPC systems. Participants will learn how to run containers on the Anvil cluster, with hands-on examples demonstrating basic usage. The module also covers the types of pre-built containers available, such as NVIDIA NGC containers, and walks through options for building custom ones. More advanced features—like binding data directories and using GPUs—are also discussed. The session concludes with a brief overview of container orchestration using Kubernetes and a look at Anvil’s Composable interface for managing resources.