The revitalization of CCIT research computing includes a new faculty Palmetto user group and operational advisory body called REDCAT:

The REsearch and Data Computational Advisory Team

REDCAT embodies the university-faculty partnership that created and drives the Palmetto supercomputer and related research computing infrastructure.

REDCAT is an essential element for the HPC ecosystem at Clemson, providing needed organization for communication between system users and system operators. REDCAT also helps faculty team up for cross-disciplinary projects.

The plan for REDCAT was developed by faculty who depend on Palmetto or their research/teaching and/or who previously advised CCIT regarding Palmetto operations.

How is REDCAT structured?

REDCAT is a user group that represents users and/or equipment owners of the Palmetto High-Performance Computing cluster. REDCAT advises the cluster team regarding operational decisions. As a user group, REDCAT is not a faculty committee as defined in the faculty manual.

Each academic department has been invited to select one departmental representative, and departmental participation is voluntary.

What will REDCAT members do?

• Provide the CCIT Research Computing & Data (RCD) team with faculty user perspectives and recommendations on how to best operate and grow the Palmetto HPC system as a university-wide asset.
• Provide domain-specific information about their research workflow needs and how operational decisions may impact those needs.
• Provide recommendations to CCIT RCD regarding operational matters and training needed.
• Elect a steering committee and chair or co-chairs.
• Serve as point of contact for student users of the Palmetto HPC system in their department to communicate resources available to them and report any operational issues.
• Self-organize one or more user communities (e.g. users of a common software package, users building AI Large Language Models, fostering cross-disciplinary project participation, student interest groups, etc.)

Who are the current REDCAT representatives?

If your department is not on the list below and you have an interest in REDCAT, please speak with your department chair about representing your department. Department chairs may contact Jill Gemmill (gemmill@clemson.edu) to submit the name of their desired representative.