The Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF) will host a virtual crash course for High Performance Computing (HPC) on June 23, 30, July 1, July 8, 14, 2025. This training will cover the foundational skills needed to learn about HPC (e.g., UNIX, command-line text editors, intro C and Python programming, and Quantum Computing) before moving on to the basics of HPC itself. The event will be hosted on Zoom and Slack will be used for hands-on help during the exercises.
Who should attend and what are the prerequisites?
The target audience for this event are those new to HPC or those who need a refresher on basic HPC skills. You will need to have access to the internet and a computer. You will also need to be able to run Zoom locally – using either a desktop client or through a browser. ORNL Summer Interns are encouraged to participate in this series.
What happens at the event?
Each day, OLCF staff will cover a set of topics essential to HPC, where each topic will consist of a lecture followed by a hands-on component. Participants will be supported by OLCF staff through a combination of Zoom and Slack. Students will have access to a Unix environment.
Students who complete a select set of exercise will get an Introduction to HPC certificate that can be used on resumes.
Registration is limited to 160 people.
Summer 2025 Virtual Hands-On HPC Crash Course Agenda
| Date | Time (ET) | Topic | Presentation Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, June 23, 2025 | 1 - 3:00 p.m. | Foundations: We will explain how/why HPC can be useful to you, help you get set up with an `ssh` client that will allow you to log in to a remote UNIX environment, and cover UNIX and command-line text editors.Materials from last year's course | Recording: Slides: Intro to ssh Slides: Intro to Unix Slides Intro to Vim |
| Monday, June 30, 2025 | 1 - 2:30 p.m. | Introduction to Python | Recording: Sides: Intro to Python |
| Tuesday, July 1, 2025 | 1 - 2:30 p.m. | Introduction to Quantum Computing | Recording: Sides: Intro to Quantum to Computing |
| Tuesday, July 8, 2025 | 1 - 2:30 p.m. | Introduction to C Programming | Recording: Slides:Intro to C |
| Monday, July 14, 2025 | 1 - 4:00 p.m. | Hands-On HPC We will give an overview of HPC topics (programming environments, parallel programming models, Machine Learning) before turning you loose on a set of self-guided challenges that cover basic parallel programming and GPU programming topics. These self-guided challenges will be performed on OLCF's Odo raining cluster, which has identical architecture to OLCF's Frontier supercomputer. Students will have continued access to the Odo system for 2 weeks after this event to complete all the challenges. Materials from a previous course | Recording pt. 1: Slides: Frontier Overview Recording pt. 2: Slides: How to use Frontier and programming Models Certificate Requirements: Certificates |
Course Syllabus
Below is the basic outline and daily agenda for the course. While we continuously update the course materials, we’ve included recordings and slides from previous sessions within the agenda as supplemental resources. Attending the live course is still highly encouraged so you can ask questions, receive the most up-to-date information, and complete the latest assignments.
2024 OLCF HPC Summer Crash Course Recording Library
Students who complete a select set of exercise will get an Introduction to HPC certificate that can be used on resumes.
HPC Foundations Agenda (Part I)
Monday, June 23, 2025| Time (ET) | Topic | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 1:00 p.m. | Welcome | Suzanne Parete-Koon |
| 1:01 p.m. | What is HPC? | John Holmen |
| 1:11 p.m. | Login | Suzanne Parete-Koon |
| 1:30 p.m. | Intro to Unix | Michael Sandoval |
| 2:15 | Intro to Vim | Elijah Maccarthy |
| 3:00 | Extra Help with Login |
Introduction to Python Programming Agenda (Part II)
Monday, June 30, 2025| Time (ET) | Topic | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 1:00 p.m. | Welcome | Suzanne Parete-Koon |
| 1:05 p.m. | What is HPC? | |
| 1:10 p.m. | Intro to Python | Michael Sandoval |
| 2:30 p.m. | Close |
Intro to Quantum Computing Agenda (Part III)
Tuesday, July 1, 2025| Time (ET) | Topic | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 1:00 p.m. | Welcome | Suzanne Parete-Koon |
| 1:05 p.m. | What is HPC? | |
| 1:10 p.m. | Intro to Quantum Computing | Michael Sandoval |
| 2:30 p.m. | Close |
Intro to C Programming Agenda (Part IV)
Tuesday, July 8, 2025| Time (ET) | Topic | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 1:00 p.m. | Welcome | Suzanne Parete-Koon |
| 1:05 p.m. | What is HPC? | |
| 1:10 p.m. | Intro to C Programming | |
| 2:30 p.m. | Close |
Hands-on HPC Agenda (Part V)
Monday, July 14th, 2025| Time (ET) | Topic | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 1:00 p.m. | Welcome | Suzanne Parete-Koon |
| 1:05 p.m. | What is HPC? | |
| 1:15 p.m. | Odo Overview | |
| 1:30 p.m. | HPC Programming Environments & Models | |
| 2:00 p.m. | Challenges & Certificate Requirements | Suzanne Parete-Koon |
| 2:15 p.m. | Hands-on | |
| 4:00 p.m. | Check-in |
