What is UCloud?

UCloud is a user-friendly HPC platform that gives you access to computing power and a wide range of digital tools directly through your web browser. It can support both data processing and data management throughout the research data life cycle and can also be used when working with sensitive data.

Through UCloud, you can access a range of pre-installed applications for different research tasks – without requiring advanced technical skills. For more technical needs, you can also create virtual machines and use more advanced computing environments.

UCloud provides access to both CPU and GPU resources, meaning you can use general computing power for tasks such as data processing and simulations, or more specialised computing power for tasks such as AI and machine learning.

Common uses

• Recording and transcribing audio
• Text and document analysis
• Data analysis and visualisation
• Working with large datasets
• Programming with Jupyter and RStudio
• AI, machine learning and large language models
• Labelling and analysing images and video
• Scientific simulations and modelling
• Collaboration on code, data and workflows
• Statistical analysis
• Testing web applications
• Working with sensitive research data

Read more about UCloud and find guides on how to get started here

What is AI Cloud?

AI Cloud is an HPC platform that gives you access to powerful GPUs for research tasks that require more computing power than a standard computer can provide. A GPU is a type of processor that can perform many calculations at the same time, making it particularly useful for computationally demanding tasks such as AI, machine learning and processing large amounts of data.

AI Cloud is particularly suited for researchers who need substantial computing power for training models or running other GPU-intensive workloads. The platform is accessed through a terminal on your computer and therefore requires some experience with command-line tools.

Common uses

• Training and fine-tuning machine learning models
• Deep learning and neural networks
• AI and large language models
• Working with large datasets
• Image and video analysis
• Computer vision
• Batch processing and model inference
• GPU-intensive computations

Read more about AI Cloud and find guides on how to get started here

What is Strato?

Strato is a flexible HPC platform that lets you create your own customisable virtual computer in the cloud when you need extra computing power for your research. You can adjust resources such as computing power, memory and storage to match the needs of your task.

Strato gives you access to both CPU and GPU resources, supporting everything from general data processing and simulations to machine learning and model training.

Strato is primarily accessed through a terminal and is therefore particularly relevant if you are comfortable working with command-line tools. It is also possible to set up applications that can be accessed through a web browser.

Common uses

• Data processing and analysis
• Scientific simulations
• Computational modelling
• Machine learning and model training
• Working with large datasets
• Running Jupyter Notebook and MATLAB
• Developing and testing applications
• Creating custom computing environments

Read more about Strato and find guides on how to get started here

What is TAAURUS?

TAAURUS is a secure and flexible HPC platform designed for research that involves sensitive data or has high requirements for information security. It combines computing power, secure data storage and controlled access in one environment, allowing you to process and analyse sensitive research data securely.

TAAURUS gives you access to both CPU and GPU resources, supporting everything from general data processing and statistical analysis to more demanding AI and machine learning tasks.

The platform can be accessed through a Remote Desktop and includes pre-installed research software such as R, Python, MATLAB, Stata and SPSS, making it possible to work interactively with familiar tools without having to set up everything yourself.

Common uses

• Working with sensitive research data
• Statistical analysis
• Data processing and visualisation
• Working with large datasets
• Programming in R and Python
• AI and machine learning
• Collaborative research with controlled access

Read more about TAAURUS and find guides on how to get started here

What is External HPC?

In addition to the HPC platforms available locally at AAU, researchers can access larger national and European HPC resources. These can be relevant when you need more computing power than the local platforms can provide or need access to specific types of computing resources.

Access is available through national and European resource pools, and depending on your needs, you may need to apply for computing time. CLAAUDIA can help you identify the right resource and guide you through the application process.

Available external HPC resources

• DeiC Throughput HPC – provides access to national Danish HPC facilities, including Computerome, GenomeDK and Sophia.
• EuroHPC resources – European supercomputing resources, including LUMI, which Danish researchers can access through relevant allocation schemes.

Read more about external HPC resources and how to get access here

High-performance computing (HPC) gives you access to more computing power and digital tools than a standard computer can provide. It can help make research tasks faster and easier and gives you the capacity to work with larger amounts of data or more computationally demanding tasks.

HPC can support many different types of research tasks across academic disciplines. You can use it for anything from transcription, text analysis and working with large datasets to simulations, machine learning, AI and other computationally demanding tasks.

Which possibilities are available depends on the HPC platform you use and the needs of your research.

The right platform depends on what you want to do, the type of data you are working with and how much computing power you need. Use the HPC Decision Tree for a guided recommendation or the HPC Comparison Table to compare the different options.

Find the HPC Decision Tree here

Find the HPC Comparison Table here

Not necessarily. Some HPC platforms are designed to be easy to use and give you access to pre-installed applications through a graphical interface, while others require experience with programming or command-line tools. This means there are options for both beginners and more experienced users.

If you are unsure which HPC platform best matches your needs or technical experience, CLAAUDIA can help you find the right option.

Read more about CLAAUDIA here

Contact CLAAUDIA here

Yes. Depending on the platform and what you want to do, you can use pre-installed applications and digital tools without programming. For example, UCloud provides browser-based tools for tasks such as transcription, text analysis, AI and data processing.

Yes, but you need to choose a platform that is approved for the classification of data you are working with. For example, UCloud and TAAURUS can be used for sensitive data. Always check the requirements for the individual platform before getting started.

Find the AAU data classification model here

Find an overview of which data classifications some of the different systems are approved for here

How you get access depends on the platform and the resources you need. You can find information about access, requirements and how to get started on the AAU HPC website.

Visit hpc.aau.dk here

Contact CLAAUDIA if you have questions, need help choosing the right HPC platform, need support with onboarding and getting started, or experience problems with one of the platforms.

Read more about CLAAUDIA here 

Contact CLAAUDIA here