NetCDF

Using NetCDF on SeaWulf

Overview

NetCDF is a widely used format for array-oriented scientific data, especially for climate and weather simulations. On the SeaWulf cluster, multiple versions of NetCDF are available for different hardware and compilers. This guide covers how to load and use these modules efficiently across the Skylake, Milan, and Haswell clusters.

Available Modules on SeaWulf

SeaWulf provides several versions of NetCDF optimized for different hardware and compilers. Below are the available modules for the Skylake, Milan, and Haswell clusters:

Skylake Nodes

  • netcdf/intel2022.2/4.9.0

Milan Nodes

  • netcdf/aocc4.0/openmpi4.1.5/4.9.0
  • netcdf/intel2022.2/4.9.0
  • netcdf/gcc12.1/openmpi4.1.4/4.9.0
  • netcdf/intel2023.1/4.9.0

Haswell Nodes

  • netcdf-fortran/aocc/4.5.3
  • netcdf/gcc/4.7.3-parallel
  • netcdf-fortran/intel/4.5.3
  • netcdf/gcc/fortran/4.5.2-parallel
  • netcdf-operators/1.0
  • netcdf/aocc/4.9.2
  • netcdf/gcc/4.7.1
  • netcdf/gcc/4.7.1-gcc-4.8.5
  • netcdf/gcc/4.7.1-gcc-6.5.0
  • netcdf/gcc/4.7.1-gcc-7.1.0
  • netcdf/intel/64/4.1.1
  • netcdf/intel/64/4.7.4-parallel
  • netcdf/intel2022.2/4.9.0
  • netcdf/rpm/64/4.1.1-3

Loading a Module

To load the appropriate NetCDF module, use the module load command. For example, to load the NetCDF module for the Skylake cluster using Intel compilers, use the following command:

module load netcdf/intel2022.2/4.9.0

Once the module is loaded, you can start using NetCDF in your environment. Ensure you are loading the correct version for your application to avoid compatibility issues.

Using NetCDF

After loading the module, you can begin compiling and running your NetCDF-based programs. Below is a sample command for compiling a simple NetCDF program:

mpicc -o my_netcdf_program my_netcdf_program.c -lnetcdf

Ensure that your program links to the correct NetCDF libraries based on the module you loaded.

Important Notes

NetCDF on SeaWulf is optimized for parallel processing. Always select a parallel version (indicated by "parallel" in the module name) when working with large datasets to take advantage of the cluster's capabilities.

Make sure to check the compatibility of your NetCDF program with the compiler and MPI version you are using. Incompatible versions may result in errors or suboptimal performance.

Additional Resources

If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, consult the SeaWulf documentation or reach out to the support team for help with NetCDF and other modules.