What you need to do
Allocations require management, including balance checks, resource allocation, and requesting more time. Before running jobs, PIs should familiarize themselves with how to check and manage their allocation balance.
sbank Allocation Accounting System
sbank is the accounting system used within the ALCF. It tracks project allocations, usage charges, and refunds. sbank allows queries about the balance and expiration of project allocations.
The sbank accounting system helps users manage their allocations and usage per job. It gives PIs the ability to monitor their allocation usage by user, job, and machine. It also allows the user to monitor their usage per allocation and provides insight into how many hours are left on the project.
sbank is available through a command line interface or through a graphic interface in the MyALCF user portal.
Active Allocations
Checking Allocation Balance
You can view your allocation information in the MyALCF user portal or through the command line interface using sbank.
Key details on your active allocation(s) are shown on the dashboard of your MyALCF portal when signed in. The dashboard section labeled "Active Project Allocations" provides an overview of activity with allocation start and end dates, allocation node hour usage, remaining node hours, usage trend data for future planning, and job sizes run.
More detailed queries can be done using the sbank Command Builder in the sbank section of the MyALCF portal. Further information on how to use the sbank graphic interface is available in the MyALCF documentation.
Allocation Expiration
Projects and allocations at the ALCF are different. A single project might have multiple allocations of time. For example, a discretionary project that has been approved more than three times will have three allocations (two are probably expired) but just one project.
Projects will not expire -- allocations will. If your allocation expires, or has no hours left, your jobs will not be able to run.
Requesting More Time
If you’d like to request an extension of your existing allocation, or you’d like to request additional hours, you can complete an allocation renewal request here. Before you submit your allocation renewal request, be sure to read our guide on getting more time for your allocation.
Sub-allocations
Sub-allocations let PIs control who on their team can run jobs, how many allocation hours they can use, and when they are allowed to run jobs. Learn more about creating sub-allocations for your project in our user guides.