Category: Interactive HPC

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Application Interactive HPC Supercomputing

New App: Apache Kafka 

Users of DeiC Interactive HPC – UCloud can now access Apache Kafka, a high-performance event streaming platform designed for managing real-time data at scale. 

Kafka deployments on UCloud support multi-node configurations, enabling production-grade distributed logging, stream processing, data integration, and publish/subscribe messaging systems. 

Students and researchers can use Apache Kafka to collect, process, and analyse large volumes of real-time data – for example, streaming data from lab sensors, social media, or web clickstreams. It’s especially useful for building data pipelines in projects involving machine learning, IoT, or real-time analytics, enabling reproducible and scalable research workflows. 

For more details on the Apache Kafka application, visit UCloud docs for the full documentation.



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Interactive HPC Supercomputing UCloud Workshop

Workshops on AI applications

Join us for three new and free online workshops to explore how these tools can transform your work. Discover AI Applications on DeiC Interactive HPC – UCloud

Workshop 1:

Transcribing and editing audio transcriptions with Transcriber and Speech Analyzer apps

Date: 22 May 2025

Time: 13:00 – 15:00 (CET)

Location: Online, via Zoom (link TBA)

Join us for a hands-on workshop where we guide you through the complete pipeline of transcribing audio files from speech to text and editing and classifying transcription segments.

In this session, you’ll learn how to:

  • Use Transcriber for transcribing audio/video files. Transcriber is based on Open AI’s Whisper language model. The app can transcribe speech audio to text in various formats and uses the WhisperX package to perform speaker recognition.
  • Navigate the new, simple, drag and drop Transcriber user interface to make it easier for you to use AI to transcribe audio files.
  • Edit and classify the transcriptions with Speech Analyzer. Speech Analyzer is an application built on top of Label Studio, specifically optimized for dialogue analysis. It enables you to label, edit, and annotate transcriptions generated using Transcriber.
  • Perform a comprehensive dialogue analysis on UCloud involving transcribing audio files using Transcriber, followed by transcription analysis with Speech Analyzer.

All workflows will be executed inside a UCloud project environment with access to GPU resources.

Target audience: Researchers across all Departments, particularly Digital Humanities and Social Science, Students, AI interested.

Technical Level: Basic to Intermediate.

Sign up for this workshop

Workshop 2:

ChatUI and CVAT pipelines

Date: 27 May 2025

Time: 13:00 – 15:00 (CET)

Location: Online, via Zoom (link TBA)

Join us for a hands-on workshop where we guide you through two different AI based workflows, involving ChatUI and CVAT apps.

In this session, you’ll learn how to:

  • Use Chat UI as a flexible interface for hosting of various LLM models, and interact via a chat or API environment.
  • Use ChatUI for semantic search in a knowledge base.
  • Use CVAT as a powerful annotation tool, including image classification, object detection, semantic and instance segmentation, and video / 3D annotations.
  • Use advanced CVAT features including auto-annotation, algorithmic assistance, management and analytics.

All workflows will be executed inside a UCloud project environment with access to GPU resources.

Target audience: Researchers across all fields, particularly transport, robotics, digital humanities, social sciences, machine learning and students.

Technical Level: Basic to Intermediate.

Sign up for this workshop

Workshop 3:

Fine-Tuning and Deploying  Large Language Models with NeMo Framework and Triton Inference Server

Date: 28 May 2025

Time: 13:00 – 15:00 (CET)

Location: Online, via Zoom (link TBA)

Join us for a hands-on workshop where we guide you through the complete pipeline of fine-tuning large language models (LLMs) for specialized tasks such as medical question-answering!

In this session, you’ll learn how to:

  • Prepare and preprocess open-source datasets for fine-tuning.
  • Apply Parameter-Efficient Fine-Tuning (PEFT) using LoRA with NVIDIA NeMo Framework.
  • Deploy optimized LLMs using NVIDIA Triton Inference Server and TensorRT-LLM.
  • Generate a synthetic Q&A dataset using Label Studio connected to a live inference backend.
  • Fine-tune and evaluate your customized LLM for domain-specific applications.

All workflows will be executed inside a UCloud project environment with access to GPU resources.

Target audience: Machine learning practitioners, researchers, and engineers interested in LLM customization, domain adaptation, or scalable model deployment.

Technical Level: Intermediate to Advanced.

Sign up for this workshop

DeiC Interactive HPC provides researchers at Danish universities with access to a variety of AI applications on UCloud that enable them to accelerate their research through powerful and secure computational tools.

Through online workshops the DeiC Interactive HPC Consortium will introduce both new and experienced users to DeiC Interactive HPC/UCloud’s AI app portfolio.

The sessions are designed to equip researchers and students with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively harness DeiC Interactive HPC/UCloud’s AI tools for their research.

Feel free to share with colleagues and peers who might benefit. See you there!

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Interactive HPC Supercomputing UCloud

DeiC Interactive HPC now has 15,000 Users

The DeiC Interactive HPC consortium is thrilled to announce that the service, powered by the UCloud software, has reached another significant milestone: 15,000 users. This achievement underscores the service’s growing popularity and its pivotal role in advancing digital research through user-friendly supercomputing access.

Since its inception, DeiC Interactive HPC has been dedicated to providing researchers with seamless access to high-performance computing (HPC) resources. The service’s intuitive interface and capabilities have revolutionized the way researchers approach complex computational tasks, making HPC accessible to a broader audience.

DeiC Interactive HPC’s success is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the consortium that operates the service. Together, we have created an environment where researchers from diverse fields can leverage cutting-edge technology to drive innovation and discovery.

As DeiC Interactive HPC and UCloud continues to grow, we remain committed to enhancing the service’s features and expanding its reach. The goal is to empower even more researchers with the tools they need to tackle some of the most pressing scientific challenges of our time.

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Interactive HPC Research UCloud Use case

DeiC Interactive HPC Crucial for Danish AI Language Models

By Jasper Riis-Hansen and Line Ejby Sørensen, Center for Humanities Computing (CHC), Aarhus University

DeiC Interactive HPC – UCloud plays a central role in the Danish Foundation Models (DFM) project, which forms part of the Danish government’s strategic initiative for artificial intelligence.

Danish Foundation Models (DFM) is supported by the Ministry of Digital Affairs as part of the national AI strategy, which aims to ensure that Denmark has access to advanced and tailored language models. These models are intended for use across a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, public administration, education, and private enterprise.

A shared digital environment

The DFM project brings together Danish universities, research institutions, and industry partners in a joint effort to establish new standards for ethically responsible and inclusive AI language technologies.

The project is a collaboration between Aarhus University, the University of Copenhagen, the University of Southern Denmark, and the Alexandra Institute. DeiC Interactive HPC – UCloud plays a vital role in this work by providing high data security, scalable computing power, and, not least, an accessible, secure, national cloud platform that enables collaboration among project partners.

“UCloud forms the foundation for an important step in research digitalisation, as the platform provides easy access to computing power, enabling scalable data analysis and modelling, while also offering a secure environment for handling sensitive data. The platform also facilitates collaboration across institutions and allows us to manage data access as needed. This is particularly relevant in the DFM project, which includes many partners participating at different levels.”
Postdoc Kenneth Enevoldsen

Data security and computing power

Because AI models are often trained on sensitive data, it is crucial that data processing complies with both GDPR and Danish security standards. UCloud is ISO27001-certified and specifically designed to meet both Danish and EU requirements for secure data handling.

“In the DFM project, we work with very large amounts of data from a variety of sources – including sensitive data that the models are trained on – and this places high demands on data security. That is why UCloud is such a valuable tool for the project – precisely because of its high level of data security and access to scalable computing power.”
Postdoc Kenneth Enevoldsen

Although DFM also makes use of European supercomputers such as LUMI in Finland and Leonardo in Italy, the day-to-day operations of the project are heavily reliant on UCloud. In addition to being a springboard for high-performance computing, UCloud also provides a secure and user-friendly platform with a wide range of accessible applications – all essential for daily research, collaboration, data processing, and innovation across the project’s interdisciplinary team.

Critical infrastructure for Danish AI development

DFM’s principal investigators, Kristoffer Nielbo and Peter Schneider-Kamp, emphasise that the robust digital research environment provided by DeiC Interactive HPC – UCloud constitutes critical infrastructure. It streamlines workflows, enhances collaboration, and accelerates the development of both language and AI technologies.

“Without UCloud, the DFM project would have had to develop this type of digital infrastructure itself – with significant time and financial costs. The platform’s role in the project clearly demonstrates how robust, collaborative digital research environments are essential to Denmark’s AI strategies.”

FACTS: Danish Foundation Models (DFM)

Danish Foundation Models (DFM) is a collaborative project involving Aarhus University, the University of Copenhagen, the University of Southern Denmark, and the Alexandra Institute.

The project is supported by the Ministry of Digital Affairs with a grant of DKK 30.7 million and aims to develop advanced language models with open access and transparent development processes.

The models are specifically tailored to Danish and other Scandinavian languages and cultures and are intended for use across sectors such as healthcare, public administration, education, and business.

DFM seeks to establish a new standard for ethically responsible, inclusive, and transparent AI language technology – for the benefit of both Danish society and the research community.

For more information, visit: Danish Foundation Models, Ministry of Digital Affairs press release

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Interactive HPC Research Supercomputing UCloud

DeiC Interactive HPC Revolutionises Interdisciplinary Research with User-Friendly Supercomputing Access

With 10,000 users, DeiC Interactive HPC has established itself as one of Europe’s most popular HPC facilities, thanks to an unprecedented democratisation of access to advanced computing resources. These resources, once reserved for specialised research fields and technically adept specialists, are now accessible to any researcher with a dataset and a vision.

Through a newly developed, simple, and graphical user interface, DeiC Interactive HPC, also known as UCloud, makes it easier than ever to gain interactive access to supercomputing. This approach reduces technical barriers and enhances research collaboration by offering shared, easily accessible virtual environments. As a result, DeiC Interactive HPC supports dynamic and interdisciplinary research, accelerating research processes and promoting innovation in fields ranging from bioinformatics to digital humanities.

Democratising Access to HPC

The trend towards more interactive use of technology, including HPC, reflects efforts to make the STEM field more inclusive and accessible, mirroring broader societal changes towards diversity and inclusion in technology and science. DeiC Interactive HPC’s user-friendly approach has attracted a broad spectrum of users, including those from nearly all Danish universities and individuals with varying levels of technical expertise, notably many students.

“We are proud to highlight the growing diversity among DeiC Interactive HPC users, a development that further distinguishes DeiC Interactive HPC from traditional HPC systems. We see continuous growth in user numbers and are now celebrating surpassing 10,000 users across a very broad spectrum of research disciplines, which is impressive in the HPC field. Of these users, 50% are students, reflecting DeiC Interactive HPC’s success in attracting new users and serving as a bridge to larger European HPC facilities,” says Professor Kristoffer Nielbo, representing Aarhus University in the DeiC Interactive HPC Consortium.

Research Areas
Students

By simplifying access to supercomputers, DeiC Interactive HPC democratises powerful data processing resources, enabling a wider range of researchers and academics to conduct innovative research without the steep learning curve traditionally associated with HPC. This inclusivity fosters scientific collaboration and creativity, enriching the HPC community with a diversity of perspectives and ideas.

“We continuously work to improve DeiC Interactive HPC with a democratic approach, using user feedback to ensure our focus is in the right place. This is also reflected in our new update – UCloud version 2 – which aims to increase efficiency and improve the user experience for researchers. It is part of our DNA as an interactive HPC facility to always keep the user in mind and develop apps and user interfaces based on user needs. Therefore, we encourage our users to reach out to us with their wishes and ideas,” says Professor Claudio Pica, representing the University of Southern Denmark in the DeiC Interactive HPC Consortium.

Did You Know

– that DeiC Interactive HPC provides resources for developing large AI language models through initiatives such as Danish Foundation Models (DFM) and the new Danish Language Model Consortium?

– that nearly 80 apps are available via UCloud’s App Store, including the Chat-GPT-like app, Chat-UI, and transcription tools Transcriber and Whisper Transcription?

– that 25% of users on Interactive HPC come from the Social Sciences & Humanities, a unique figure as HPC traditionally caters almost exclusively to Natural Science, Health/Life Science, and Engineering?

An All Danish and Highly Secure System

Despite its internationally sounding name, UCloud, DeiC Interactive HPC is part of the Danish HPC landscape, funded by Danish universities and the Ministry of Education and Research. The increased focus on developing a new generation of highly user-friendly applications means that researchers and other university staff can now use intuitive applications for transcribing sensitive data via DeiC Interactive HPC.

“DeiC Interactive HPC has already developed applications based on the same transcription technology found online and made them available in a secure environment through the UCloud platform. These transcription applications are just the beginning of a series of targeted secure applications that do not require prior experience, and we are always open to user input and ideas that arise from their unique needs but often prove beneficial to many,” says Lars Sørensen, Head of Digitalisation, representing Aalborg University and CLAAUDIA in the DeiC Interactive HPC Consortium.

By making advanced data processing more accessible to researchers from various disciplines, DeiC Interactive HPC helps break down the technical barriers that previously limited access to these resources. With an increasing number of students and new users from diverse backgrounds combined with continuous engagement in user-centred innovation, DeiC Interactive HPC not only supports the academic community but also plays a crucial role in promoting a more inclusive and productive research environment.

New users
Universities

For further information and high resolution graphics, contact:
Kristoffer Nielbo, Director of Center for Humanities Computing, Aarhus University, 26832608 kln@cas.au.dk

About DeiC Interactive HPC (UCloud)

UCloud offers access to advanced tools such as quantum simulation apps and H100 GPUs as well as applications aimed at data analysis and visualisation.

In data analysis, Python and Jupyter notebooks are particularly prominent, catering to the interactive, ad hoc, and data-centric workflows common in the field. These tools are highly valued for their user-friendliness in handling rapidly changing software environments and offer rich user interfaces, a significant advantage compared to traditional HPC setups, which can be more complex or less flexible.

Furthermore, the integration of tools such as Conda for managing software packages, Jupyter notebooks, Rstudio, Coder, and Dask for parallel computing significantly enhances the usability of HPC resources for interactive and on-demand data processing needs. These tools help bridge the gap between the hardware of complex HPC systems and the user-friendly software environments that data scientists require.

Links

About DeiC Interactive HPC

Use Cases and News

News About the New UI

About the Consortium

DeiC Interactive HPC (UCloud) is a successful collaboration between three universities: SDU, AU, and AAU.

Aalborg University, CLAAUDIA, represented by Lars Sørensen

SDU, eScience Center, represented by Professor Claudio Pica

Aarhus University, Center for Humanities Computing, represented by Professor Kristoffer Nielbo

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Interactive HPC UCloud UCloud status

New UCloud User Interface 

DeiC Interactive HPC is excited to roll out the new User Interface on the UCloud platform, designed to simplify processes and enhance the user experience. The updated interface, serving 10,000 users (and growing), signifies the dedication to delivering an easy-to-use interface that provides researchers with access to advanced interactive computing power, along with comprehensive data analysis and visualisation tools.

“The launch of this new user interface marks a significant overhaul. Our team has meticulously redesigned every aspect, from its overall look-and-feel to the functionality of each page. Our primary objective has been to create an enhanced platform for users. We’re excited to see how researchers will benefit from the improved efficiency and usability when engaging with the platform,” says Dan Sebastian Thrane, Special Consultant at the eScience Center, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), and leader of the cloud team, which has been responsible for the development and implementation of the UI update.

Key changes of the new user interface include:

  1. Restructured dashboard layout to prioritize important information.
  2. Redesigned application catalogue with improved discoverability features.
  3. Improved space utilization with keyboard control, infinite scroll and better performance.
  4. File management now includes drag-select, drag-and-drop, and copy-paste for quicker access, along with a location bar for easy navigation.
  5. New two-level sidebar navigation replaces the top navigation bar, making it easier to find and access sub-pages within specific categories.
  6. Streamlined resource allocations integrate sub-projects, simplifying creation and management. The interface has been redesigned for improved organization and efficiency.
  7. Job submission enhancements allow users to switch between different app flavors and receive notifications for job status changes.

The updated interface reflects extensive research and meticulous examination of every aspect of the user interface, with the goal of addressing common pain points and improving both the overall layout and user experience. Designed with a focus on simplicity, efficiency, and consistency, the new interface aims to empower users while maintaining the core workflow on UCloud. This ensures that researchers can seamlessly manage their data and run applications as they normally would. 

All these enhancements mark a significant step forward in optimising the digital infrastructure and is available by May 14th 2024. For further details about the new user-interface, changes to accounting and a brand-new application catalog, visit UCloud.

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Interactive HPC Supercomputing UCloud

Adding 16 NVIDIA H100 GPUs to the DeiC Interactive HPC service marks significant milestone in computational research

Denmark has marked a significant milestone in computational research with the addition of 16 NVIDIA H100 GPUs to the DeiC Interactive HPC service, and 16 more are expected by the end of the year. The tender for the acquisition of the GPUs was awarded to Lenovo. This addition signifies a big leap forward for Danish researchers, who can now easily access the new GPUs through UCloud, and positions Denmark at the forefront of AI innovation. We recently had the privilege of talking with Dr. Valerio Rizzo, head of AI & SME at Lenovo’s EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) division, about the AI revolution that is currently taking place and Lenovo’s role in the production of the world’s most powerful hardware for AI. 

Collaboration between Lenovo and NVIDIA

NVIDIA is the company behind the industry-leading graphics processing unit (GPU), H100, currently the most sought-after hardware for AI and used extensively by some of the biggest AI companies in the world, including OpenAI, Microsoft and Google. H100 is generally 2-3 times faster than the previous A100 generation, and an impressive 30 times faster for AI workloads such as large language models (LLM). The recently announced supercomputer, Gefion, by Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF) and the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO) will make use of the same technology. 

In the past, Danish researchers had to either search abroad or pay commercial cloud providers expensive fees to use these powerful machines. However, since January this year the 16 H100 GPUs have been available via the DeiC Interactive HPC service, provided by a consortium of universities consisting of Aarhus University (AU), Aalborg University (AAU) and the University of Southern Denmark (SDU). The H100 GPUs are hosted at the SDU data center and available via the user-friendly platform, UCloud, that powers the DeiC Interactive HPC service…

To read more please go to SDU eScience to read the full story

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Interactive HPC Supercomputing Tutorial UCloud UCloud status

No More Waiting for Resources

Streamline your workflow when using DeiC Interactive HPC

Have you ever experienced delays due to high demand for computing resources on UCloud (DeiC Interactive HPC)? The key to faster access and reducing system strain is efficient resource management.

Over-requesting can lead to unnecessary waiting because DeiC Interactive HPC operates by allocating resources to users as the requested resources become available, without the use of priority queues. Consequently, if you select a large machine for a relatively small task, you will need to wait for other tasks requested for these larger but fewer machines to finish, leading to prolonged waiting.

“Users with little or no experience in assessing the amounts of resources needed have a tendency to request more than they actually need.  This causes unnecessary queues and frustration for other users. However, we also see experienced users choosing the large machines simply out of habit instead of starting small, and subsequently migrate to a larger machine only when necessary.”

Jes Elgin, Cloud Engineer at DeiC Interactive HPC

To avoid delays, users need to accurately assess and request only the necessary resources for their task. Starting with conservative estimates can expedite access and improve overall system efficiency.

“Choosing small will always give you a head start as there are more small machines, and you can always upgrade to a large machine if you need it. You don’t have to start over, and you won’t lose any data.”

Jes Elgin, Cloud Engineer at DeiC Interactive HPC

**TIP!** Did you know that the likelihood of obtaining a machine right away is higher the less resources you request?

So, choose your machine based on a qualified estimate of resources needed. If unsure start small and seek advice from experienced colleagues or the DeiC Front Office.

For optimal use of interactive HPC and to enhance your research, consult our guide on Interactive HPC Best Practices.

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Interactive HPC Supercomputing UCloud

9000 users on DeiC Interactive HPC

DeiC Interactive HPC has achieved another remarkable feat: it now has more than 9000 users! The graph shows the rapid and steady growth of the user base, which has tripled in just two years. More about this new milestone here

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Interactive HPC Supercomputing UCloud

DeiC Interactive HPC offers integration of advanced Quantum Computing Applications

Recently two advanced quantum computing applications were deployed on DeiC Interactive HPC: the NVIDIA CUDA Quantum Platform and the NVIDIA cuQuantum Appliance.

These applications show the continuous commitment to offer cutting-edge technologies to the Interactive HPC users.

“With these new applications, DeiC Interactive HPC is at the forefront of bringing quantum computing into practical, real-world use,” says Emiliano Molinaro, leader of research support at the SDU eScience Center. “The platform is now uniquely equipped to support the development of quantum algorithms and simulations, offering unprecedented level of computational power and flexibility.”

We hope that DeiC Interactive HPC’s deployment of these NVIDIA applications will be useful for a wide array of users, from academic researchers to industry professionals, seeking to explore the uncharted territories of quantum computing. It represents not only an enhancement of DeiC Interactive HPC’s offerings but also a significant contribution to the Danish quantum computing ecosystem.

Check out the full story on the SDU eScience website.