Cloud and HPC Services:

Index:

  1. Does UltraScan require access to the cloud?
  2. What is UltraScan-in-a-Box (USiaB)?
  3. Does UltraScan need a database?
  4. Can I use UltraScan without the cloud services?
  5. How do I get a LIMS server/LIMS account?
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  1. Does UltraScan require access to the cloud? - Yes and no, cloud services are not required for analyzing disk input data with UltraScan. However, cloud services provide many additional features and benefits, such as parallel computing, batch analysis of many datasets simultaneously, remote access via internet, cloud based LIMS data storage and secure backups, and additional analysis methods like Genetic Algorithms and DMGA analysis methods not available in the desktop version. Cloud services are not available for commercial users, who often require data to remain in-house to satisfy data security requirements. Instead, UltraScan-in-a-Box servers can be used (supported by AUC Solutions) to provide the same cloud and HPC services on a local server or cluster. Disk based modules in UltraScan feature multi-threading for computational efficiency, but do not provide batch mode operation, which allows multiple datasets to be analyzed simultaneously. That option is only available with cloud services or the UltraScan-in-a-Box server.
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  2. What is UltraScan-in-a-Box (USiaB)? - UltraScan-in-a-Box is a Linux server that provides all UltraScan components, including the Optima AUC integration and data acquisition module, in a server environment that is remotely accessed via ssh and VNC using Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Android and Iphone clients. There are two types of USiaB solutions available: A high-end server or cluster solution with large storage, high memory and at least 128 core CPU capability that includes parallel computing, LIMS service and batch mode operation all in one server. USiaB is commercially supported by AUC Solutions, please visit AUC Solutions on the web for additional information. This version is appropriate for installation in corporate environments and cGxP laboratories. The second version does not include supercomputer hardware or LIMS service inside of the USiaB server, but insteads connects to the cloud and HPC services from AUC Solutions and NSF Access, respectively. The second version will work with an ordinary PC or a modest VM with a minimum of 4 cores and 16 GB of RAM, or more if multiple users access the system simultaneously. All USiaB servers are accessed via ssh (port 22), which must be opened to the users. In addition, for the second USiaB server type, outgoing ports 3306 and 443 need to be unblocked to communicate with the remote infrastructure.
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  3. Does UltraScan need a database? - Yes and no. It is possible to use UltraScan without a database and use disk-based data I/O only. However, it is strongly recommended to use UltraScan with a database backend to simplify many operations within UltraScan and to facilitate remote analysis and utilize the HPC infrastructure.
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  4. Can I use UltraScan without the cloud services? - Yes, many, but not all, features in UltraScan can be used without cloud services. All features are however supported in the UltraScan-in-a-Box environment, which also does not use cloud services.
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  5. How do I get a LIMS server/LIMS account? - Investigators from academic and not-for-profit institutions in the US and Canada, and selected other countries, can obtain a free UltraScan LIMS account on a cloud instance that serves their geographic region. LIMS accounts are associated with LIMS instances that typically are allocated for each institution with an analytical ultracentrifuge account. If an institution is not listed, a new LIMS instance can be requested from the same link. Additional information is available here.
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