This page describes instructions for obtaining credentials to different HPC clusters. It includes tips for the onboarding process, and other tricks to avoid you wasting too much time with the HPC support staff, or having to ask others at BSC.

For both RIKEN's Fugaku and U-Tokyo's Miyabi supercomputers, there is the requirement to have created an account in the Japanese High Performance Computing Infrastructure, HPCI https://www.hpci-office.jp/. You can create the account today, without having a project. So we recommend that you start with that as soon as you know that you will have to access Fugaku.

It is important to note that you will be asked for identification documents, and also for a company ID. The company ID is the BSC identification card (used at the doors and turnstiles in our buildings). You must provide the photo of the front and back of your card, even if the back is blank. Try to take a photo so they see it is the same card (maybe showing the lanyard).

Also important to note that your name must match your BSC ID. This means using your name in capital letters, and in the exact order as in the identification card (they will reject your application and you will probably waste days if you do not follow this, so it is pointless to argue on this).

Their page may read as if you can use a Spanish driver's license or TIE, instead of the passport. They will ask for your passport. It might be simpler to just upload TIE and Passport (in one case where that was done, they did not ask for anything else; for others they required the passport after uploading only the TIE).

Upon completing the HPCI process, you will receive a user ID (hpc1234…), and a Verification Code (besides having to use your email, a password, etc.). Keep the Verification Code as you will need this later in the registration process with Fugaku (same with Miyabi).

The PI of the project or someone from RIKEN will contact you asking for your HPCI ID and Verification code. Give that to them, and wait for their confirmation.

You will have to complete now the process at the FAAS (Fugaku Access Account System): https://apply.fugaku.r-ccs.riken.jp/login. Create an account, and again upload your documents, and complete each step in the process. There will be a page asking you to upload documents, and the text may read as if you need Japanese documents. Ignore that, just click to complete the Wizard/Quiz, and it will ask you to upload your personal identification, and again the BSC ID. Remember, use the correct names. They will reject your application and ask you to upload passport, match the ID name, include the back of your documents in the photos, etc. This may take weeks if you do not include it on your first try.

The process includes several steps, and there are “dots” in the FAAS page that are grey, orange, or green. Follow the process, completing whatever is orange. Some of these dots will turn gray. It does not mean that the step is complete. There is a person who verifies the application. It may take one day, to a couple of weeks. Please, be patient.

Once your account is approved, you will receive a certificate (e.g.,