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User Application and Usage Guidelines

01 General Provisions​

Article 1: To standardize user management, resource allocation and usage, training, account auditing, and supervision of the High-Performance Computing (HPC) platform at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) and to ensure the normal operation and data security of the HPC platform, this management regulation is formulated.

Article 2: This regulation applies to all users of the HPC platform at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou).

02 Service Application and Approval​

Article 3: Users who are students must fill out the "HPC Platform Application" in the online service hall (Application URL: https://onestop-online.hkust-gz.edu.cn).

Article 4: Provide true and complete personal and project information, including but not limited to name, ID number, contact information, student/staff number, email, project name, and the name of the primary advisor.

Article 5: Professors must submit the "HPC Platform Application" for approval through DingTalk.

Article 6: Users must commit to complying with relevant regulations, and any illegal activities such as unauthorized mining or system intrusion through the platform are strictly prohibited. Accounts will be immediately banned upon discovery of such activities, and users must self-check and provide evidence of compliance. Responsibility for violations lies with the applicant.

Article 7: After submission of the application form, it will be reviewed by the HPC platform management department. Upon approval, users will receive an account and initial password. The review process generally takes no more than two working days.

Article 8: Student users must provide advisor information in the application form and can only obtain an account upon advisor approval. Advisors must sign the application form and bear supervisory responsibility for students' use of the HPC platform.

Article 9: Users from partner organizations must provide relevant cooperation agreements and can only obtain an account after approval from relevant departments of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou). They must adhere to the resource usage restrictions agreed upon in the cooperation agreement.

03 Account Usage​

Article 10: User accounts and intelligent computing center resources are solely for internal teaching and research purposes. Any illegal or unauthorized activities are prohibited, and users must adhere to the following guidelines, among others.

Article 11: Engaging in activities other than internal teaching and research, such as lending personal accounts, is prohibited.

Article 12: Users must securely manage their accounts and passwords. In case of account theft or password leakage, users must immediately report to the HPC platform management department and reset their passwords. The HPC management department will take prompt measures to protect user information security.

Article 13: Users must use HPC platform resources reasonably and comply with relevant regulations. Violations will result in accountability. Violations include but are not limited to:

a) Illegal occupation or waste of resources;

b) Engaging in activities that endanger network and information security;

c) Infringing on others' intellectual property rights;

d) Installing commercial software and programs without copyright;

e) Engaging in any illegal activities such as mining that violate national laws and regulations.

04 Account Changes and Cancellation​

Article 14: For user information changes (such as name, contact information), users must apply for changes with the HPC platform management department within two working days of the information change.

Article 15: Users must apply to cancel their account with the HPC platform management department when their project ends or they no longer use the HPC platform. Applications must be submitted within 10 days of project completion or stopping use of the HPC platform.

Article 16: The HPC platform management department reserves the right to suspend or cancel user accounts under the following circumstances:

a) Users violate relevant regulations and engage in illegal activities;

b) User accounts have not been used for an extended period, i.e., not logged in for six consecutive months;

c) Users' projects have concluded;

d) Users have left the university, resigned, or the cooperative relationship has ended.

Article 17: Student accounts will be automatically closed if not used for three months after graduation or account cancellation, and user data will be deleted from the HPC platform within 60 days of account cancellation. Users must back up and transfer data before cancellation.

05 Training and Technical Support​

Article 18: The HPC platform management department serves campus faculty, students, and research teams in conducting research and teaching activities. The university will consider forming cross-domain expert teams and committees to promote the continuous upgrading and co-construction, co-management, and co-creation of the intelligent computing center.

Article 19: The HPC platform management department regularly organizes training on the use of the HPC platform to improve users' operational skills and resource utilization. Training content includes but is not limited to system usage, software applications, data processing, and task scheduling.

Article 20: Users encountering technical issues while using the HPC platform can consult the HPC platform management department. The platform management department will provide timely technical support.

Article 21: For major research projects, upon application, the HPC platform management department can provide special technical support to assist users in solving computing, data storage, and analysis issues.

06 Information Security and Data Protection​

Article 22: Users must comply with national laws, regulations, and university rules and must not use the HPC platform for illegal activities or infringing on others' rights.

Article 23: Users are responsible for the data they store on the HPC platform and must back it up regularly. The HPC platform management department is not liable for any data loss.

Article 24: Users must comply with the HPC platform's security regulations and must not attack the system, alter data, or disclose others' information. Security vulnerabilities must be reported to the HPC platform management department immediately.

Article 25: The HPC platform management department will take necessary measures to ensure system security and data integrity, conduct regular security checks, backups, and system maintenance.

07 Resource Allocation​

Article 26: Resource Grading: Platform resources mainly use shared queues, following a "first-come, first-served" principle, supporting shared and debug queue types. Within the same queue, all tasks have the same priority, with a maximum usage duration of seven days. Resources include various CPUs, GPUs, memory, and storage.

Article 27: Allocation Principles: Resources are allocated reasonably based on the project's actual needs, the applicant's qualifications, and the overall resource status of the platform.

Article 28: Priorities: Priority support is given to national key projects, university-level key projects, and projects with industry-university-research integration characteristics. Related project names must be submitted when applying.

Article 29: Usage Time Limit: Resource usage time is reasonably allocated based on project progress and actual needs to avoid resource waste. If extension is needed, an application must be submitted in advance.

08 Fees and Incentives​

Article 30: During the trial operation period, the campus intelligent computing center and HPC platform will suspend fees.

Article 31: The high-performance computing platform will formulate the "Fee Management Measures for the University-level Public Platform of High-Performance Computing of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou)" based on actual conditions, effective upon approval by the high-performance computing platform expert committee.

Article 32: Users can apply for the "Open Test Fund" managed by the equipment department.

Article 33: Users can submit achievements for discounts.

09 Outcome Reporting​

Article 34: Users should acknowledge the support of the intelligent computing center in their research outcomes produced using the school's intelligent computing center when publishing scientific papers, technical reports, or participating in academic conferences, to enhance the center's influence. Users must submit a "User Outcome Report" for archiving. The high-performance computing public platform has the right to cite content from the user's "User Outcome Report."

Article 35: Internal users and those enjoying discounts should mark "This research was supported by the High-performance Computing Platform of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou)" when publishing research outcomes or papers and submit copies of their outcome reports or published papers.

10 Account Auditing and Supervision​

Article 36: The HPC platform management department has the right to audit user accounts regularly. The audit cycle is once a year or conducted as needed.

Article 37: Users should actively cooperate with audit work and provide truthful information, including but not limited to project progress, resource usage, data processing, and storage.

Article 38: The HPC platform management department must keep user information strictly confidential, ensuring user data security. For sensitive data, users need to sign confidentiality agreements with the HPC platform management department.

Article 39: Audit results will be notified in writing to users and relevant departments. If violations or unreasonable resource usage are found, the platform management department has the right to require users to make corrections or take appropriate measures.

11 Responsibilities and Penalties​

Article 40: The HPC platform management department has the right to take appropriate measures, including but not limited to suspending or canceling accounts and issuing warnings, against users who violate these regulations. In severe cases, matters will be referred to the university's disciplinary committee or relevant departments.

Article 41: Users are responsible for compensating for any losses incurred by the HPC platform due to their violations.

12 Supplementary Provisions​

Article 42: This regulation is effective from the date of publication.

Article 43: The Office of the President and the Information Technology Department of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) are responsible for interpreting and amending this regulation. Revisions will be promptly communicated to users.

Article 44: If this regulation conflicts with national laws, regulations, or university rules, the latter shall prevail. Issues not covered by this regulation may be governed by national laws, regulations, and university rules.