• Overview
• Hardware
• Accounts
• Software Application List
  • ArrayTrack

Linux Cluster Overview

As part of the GSBS Bioinformatics curriculum, we built upon an existing research support infrastructure, adding new services and platforms using a secure Linux environment.

Our new environment spans two cities and links Linux workstations, Linux servers, a Sunfire 6900 Enterprise server and the Internet. Here we describe the applications we support and the computational power, storage and connectivity available to both students and researchers. Open Source solutions combined with selective use of commercial resources integrate in a cost-effective, service-friendly, bioinformatics research environment.

For ease of management, we have consolidated our Linux cluster on the Piscataway campus, RWJMS V-12. Client software permits researchers access to this resourse from the Newark Campus AST lab (MSB C-631), their labs, offices and homes.

Hardware

The cluster consists of:

14 Dell workstations with Intel Pentium 4 3.2 Ghz Processors
Each workstation has:

• 1 GB of RAM
• 120 GB of disk space
• 17" Flat-Panel Screens

Two generic Intel workstations with Intel Pentium 4 22 Ghz Processors. These machines are configured identical to the Dell workstations.

Four generic Intel servers with Intel Pentium 4 22 Ghz Processors providing application services including a web server, database server, and storage.

Accounts

Accounts on the workstations are available to students, staff, and faculty involved in the GSBS Bioinformatics program as well as the SHRP Program in Biomedical Informatics. In addition, we can provide accounts to researchers who have a valid UMDNJ account and a need to employ the software we host with any limitations that come with the University's licences for these products.

To discuss whether you can have an account, please contact the system administrator via e-mail, specifying your campus location, the software applications you intend to use, and your contact information. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about using the linux cluster for your research.

Software Applications

Software available on the Linux workstations included an array of open-source and select proprietary licensed software built upon RedHat Enterprise Linux. A thorough list of available software is available at here.

ArrayTrack, an integrated software system for managing, mining, and visualizing microarray gene expression data is also available. Instructions on running ArrayTrack on the v12 linux cluster is available here.