Kellogg researchers have access to several different research computing systems. Here is an overview of these systems, with some guidance to help you find the right platform for the right job.
KLC is the best research computing option for most people at Kellogg. These Linux servers provide access to dozens of scientific computing software packages, large amounts of working memory (1.5 TB per server), and hundreds of TB of networked storage for your code and data.
These servers are available to Kellogg faculty, PhD students, and other research affiliates.
Northwestern manages a very large Linux cluster with more than 10,000 CPU cores across hundreds of compute nodes that are shared campus wide. This is your best option when you need to run dozens (or hundreds) of parallel processes.
Running large scale jobs on Quest typically requires that you first apply for a Research Allocation, and then you submit your jobs via bash script into a scheduling queue. Feel free to reach out to Research Support for help with either step.
Kellogg also provides a Windows server for running scientific computing applications. You should use KAP02 when you need software that is only available for Windows (such as TickWrite or ArcGIS) or if you need to work with regulated data that reside on its secure "H drive." Because of its higher capacity, KLC is a better choice for running jobs with tools like R or Stata.
The KDC hosts several large scale databases in SQL Server format. For most users, your only interaction with this system will be to submit queries to these databases.
Kellogg also maintains two computer labs, one in room 2415 of the Global Hub and one in the library at Wieboldt Hall. In the computer labs, you will find Bloomberg terminals as well as some terminals marked "special software," where you can access tools such as Datastream.