Warning

The method of accessing the system may change in the future. The documentation will be updated as soon as possible.

Access to System

The CRESCO HPC system can be accessed through two main methods:

  • Command-line access via SSH

  • Web-based access through Open OnDemand

Both methods require username and password credentials.

SSH Access

SSH access is the standard method for working in an HPC environment, running batch jobs, compiling codes, and managing files.i

Login Nodes

To access CRESCO, use one of the following endpoints:

ssh <username>@cresco-in.portici.enea.it

or

ssh <username>@cresco-in.frascati.enea.it

After authentication, the system will display information about the available nodes and the working environment.

Available Front-End Nodes

Front-end nodes are used to work on the system (e.g. managing files or submitting jobs).

Access depends on the network:

  • From the ENEA internal network, users can directly connect to front-end nodes using their hostname;

  • From external networks, users must first connect to the CRESCO login nodes (cresco-in) and then access the desired front-end node.

For example, when using MobaXterm from the ENEA network, the front-end hostname can be used directly as the remote host. From external networks, it is necessary to first connect to cresco-in.

Site

Front-end node

Node Type

Portici

cresco6x001

Front-end

Portici

cresco6x002

Interactive

Portici

cresco7x001

Front-end

Portici

cresco7x002

Interactive

Portici

cresco8x001

Font-end

Portici

cresco8x002

Interactive

Portici

cresco8-gpu01

Interactive

Portici

cresco8-hbm01

Interactive

Portici

cresco8-hbm02

Interactive

Frascati

cresco4fx001

Front-end and Interactive

Frascati

xcrescox001

Front-end

Frascati

xcrescox002

Interactive

Casaccia

cresco4cx001

Front-end and Interactive

Access from Linux / macOS

On Linux and macOS systems the SSH client is available by default.

  1. Open a terminal.

  2. Type:

ssh <username>@cresco-in.portici.enea.it

or

ssh <username>@cresco-in.frascati.enea.it

  1. Enter your password when prompted.

After successful authentication, users will be connected to a CRESCO login node where they can compile codes, manage files, and submit jobs to the scheduler.

Access from Windows

POWERSHELL

On Windows 10/11, the built-in SSH client is available.

  1. Open PowerShell

  2. Type:

ssh <username>@cresco-in.portici.enea.it

  1. Enter your password when prompted.

Note

The built-in Windows SSH client does not support X11 forwarding. Applications requiring a graphical interface cannot be displayed.

MOBAXTERM

MobaXterm is a SSH client for Windows that provides a built-in X11 server, making it particularly suitable for accessing graphical applications on CRESCO.

Download MobaXterm from: https://mobaxterm.mobatek.net

To connect:

  1. Open MobaXterm

  2. Click on “Session” → “SSH”

  3. Enter the remote host:

cresco-in.portici.enea.it

  1. Specify your username

  2. Select the front end

  3. Start the session

Access via Open OnDemand

Open OnDemand is the web interface that allows users to access and use the CRESCO HPC system through a web browser, without directly using the command line. Through Open OnDemand it is possible to:

  • manage files in the user’s AFS home directory

  • monitor and manage running or queued jobs

  • open interactive terminal sessions on login nodes

  • launch interactive scientific applications

  • access remote desktop environments

The service is available at the following address: https://cresco-ondemand.portici.enea.it

After authentication using credentials the main dashboard of the portal is displayed.

../_images/dashboard_cresco_ondemand.png

Open OnDemand Interface

From the main dashboard users can access the available services through the top navigation menu.

Terminal sessions

The Terminal Sessions section allows users to open interactive shell sessions on the CRESCO login nodes directly from the browser.

Available terminals correspond to the different CRESCO systems, including:

  • CRESCO6

  • CRESCO7

  • CRESCO8

  • XCRESCO

  • CRESCO4F

  • CRESCO4C

These terminals provide a standard Linux shell environment and can be used in the same way as a normal SSH connection (e.g. compiling codes, submitting jobs, or managing files).

Interactive applications

The Apps section allows users to start interactive applications running on the cluster and access them through the browser.

Examples of available applications include:

  • Comsol

  • Jupyter

  • Paraview

  • RStudio

  • Octave

  • OpenModelica

  • Firefox

  • Gedit

  • remote desktop sessions

Session monitoring

At the top of the interface two useful indicators are available:

  • Active Apps, which shows currently running interactive applications

  • Terminal Sessions, which lists active terminal sessions that can be reopened.

Note

For more information about the Open OnDemand interface and available services: CRESCO-ONDEMAND documentation

Access via kerberos token

You can also access the system by creating a Kerberos ticket, following the installation procedure on this page