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WebSubmit:
A Web-based Interface to High-Performance Computing
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Overview
WebSubmit is a Web-based utility providing access to applications
on a collection of heterogeneous computing resources. Its goal is
to make it easy to use computing resources via the Web without requiring
knowledge of the specifics of unfamiliar operating systems and dynamic
application environments. Users can effectively log into distinct
computing environments and perform tasks without needing a detailed knowledge
of their operating environment.
A collection of machines, referred to as the cluster and determined
by the site administrators, can be accessed through WebSubmit. Strong
authentication using the Secure Sockets Layer protocol lets registered
users connect to the system, and when validated by a WebSubmit authority,
gives them access to a group of application modules. Each application
module is presented as an HTML form; this form is filled out and submitted
to the server, which then processes the request and executes the desired
tasks on the specified remote system using another secure protocol.
The system is flexible and extensible, and its modularity promotes ease
of use, maintainability, and interface development.
Software Features
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Security
WebSubmit uses strong authentication techniques based on digitally-signed
certificates to perform authentication. Users can rest assured that
use of the system is no less secure than using a standard telnet session
to a remote system.
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Configurability
Not only can users select which application modules are visible, but
they can select between basic and advanced modes for many of the applications.
In this way, WebSubmit spans the broad specturm of user needs.
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Session Management
WebSubmit provides a way to save your work, so that you can retrieve
information entered in WebSubmit applications at a later date. Users
can create their own personal libraries for most applications, thus saving
time and making life easier in general!
Current WebSubmit Applications
The central systems are currently connected with WebSubmit at NIST.
The following applications
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System-Wide Applications (used on any
machine)
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General Command Interface
Execute UNIX commands on remote hosts and view the output.
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Text File Editor
A simple text file editor to retrieve, edit, and save files on remote
systems.
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File Transfer Interface
A basic interface to allow transfer of text files between remote systems
and your browser machine.
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IBM SP2 Applications
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General Load Leveler Job Submission
Submit job requests to the Load Leveler batch queuing system.
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MPI Parallel Job Submission
Submit parallel jobs that use the Message Passing Interface (MPI) for
communication.
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Gaussian Job Submission
Submit parallel jobs that run the Gaussian98 or Gaussian94 quantum chemistry package.
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Queuing System Control
View jobs currently executing on the SP2 system and control your own
jobs.
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SGI Origin 2000 Applications
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General NQS Job Submission
Submit job requests to the batch queues controlled by the Network Queuing
System (NQS).
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Gaussian Job Submission
Submit parallel jobs that run the Gaussian98 or Gaussian94 quantum chemistry package.
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Queuing System Control
View jobs currently executing on the Origin 2000 system and control
your own jobs.
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Linux PC Cluster Applications
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General Load Sharing Facility Job Submission
Submit job requests to the Load Sharing Facility batch queuing system.
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MPI Parallel Job Submission
Submit parallel jobs that use the Message Passing Interface (MPI) for
communication.
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Queuing System Control
View jobs currently executing on the linux PC cluster and control your own
jobs.
New interfaces are planned that will allow interaction
with a variety of other systems. There are currently plans to build
an LSF scheduler interface and FORTRAN and C compiler
interfaces for a variety of platforms.
Screen Shots: WebSubmit
Application Modules
The following links point to screen shots of several
WebSubmit interfaces. In all cases, the screen shot only shows a
portion of the interface.
Software Availability (Last
Updated: 07.28.1999)
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Who can use WebSubmit?
At present, WebSubmit is in use NIST wide.
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How can I connect with and use the WebSubmit system?
In order to use WebSubmit, valid users (at present, employees of NIST)
must first register with the system using the WebSubmit
Certificate Manager NOTE: The certificate manager is
only available to users within the NIST domain, since the server sits behind
a firewall.
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Can I get a copy of the software?
WebSubmit is available for download.
Interested parties may contact the WebSubmit
development team if they have questions.
Additional WebSubmit Information
Papers/Articles
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Seamless Computing with WebSubmit,
Ryan McCormack, John Koontz, and Judith Devaney, Concurrency: Practice
and Experience Vol. 11, No. 15, December 25, 1999.
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An Authentication Framework for Web Access to Remote Hosts,
Ryan McCormack, John Koontz, and Judith Devaney, NISTIR 6278, January 1999.
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SECURE WEB-BASED ACCESS TO HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING RESOURCES ,
Ryan McCormack, John Koontz, and Judith Devaney, ITL Bulletin, January 1999.
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WebSubmit:
Web-based Applications with Tcl, Ryan McCormack, John Koontz,
and Judith Devaney, NISTIR 6165, June, 1998.
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WebSubmit was written up in the November/December 1998 issue of MIT's Technology Review Magazine.
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WebSubmit was written up in the July 1999 issue of Signal Magazine.
Presentations
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Meeting on Desktop Access to Remote Systems,
Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Oct 8-9, 1998.
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Workshop on Seamless Computing, Reading,
England, Sept. 16-17, 1997 (Postscript
slides)
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Poster
exhibit at Supercomputing
'96, Pittsburgh, PA, November 17-22, 1996
Implementation Details and Documentation
WebSubmit is a Common Gateway Interface
(CGI) application written in the Tool Command Language (Tcl).
All WebSubmit forms are generated dynamically using the cgi.tcl
library written by Don Libes of NIST. Processing of form data and
interaction with remote computer systems is carried out using a collection
of Tcl packages written by the WebSubmit development team. Interface
documentation and an Administrator's
Reference Guide provide complete details about the operation and implementation
of WebSubmit. The WebSubmit server is a Netscape
Enterprise Server, and provides the necessary application programming
interface (NSAPI) required to perform SSL authentication.
Acknowledgements
WebSubmit was Developed by:
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Ryan McCormack, Physical Scientist, Scientific
Applications and Visualization Group
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John Koontz, Mathematician, Scientific
Applications and Visualization Group
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Judith Devaney, Group Leader, Scientific
Applications and Visualization Group
Past Members of the Development Team:
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Robert Lipman, Scientific Applications Support Project (Intitial Code
Development)
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Katherine Pagoaga, Scientific Applications Support
Project
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Minwen Lo, High Performance Systems Usage Group (Computer
security, Web server, CGIwrap)
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Gale Richter, High Performance Systems Usage Group
(Computer security, CGIwrap)
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Howard Hung, Scientific Applications Support Project
(Gaussian 94)
Additional Acknowledgements:
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Don
Libes, NIST Manufacturing Systems Integration Division, cgi.tcl
library and useful discussions regarding Tcl implementations
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James Dray, NIST Security Division, Useful discussions
regarding security features of WebSubmit
This software was developed at the National Institute of Standards
and Technology by employees of the Federal Government in the course
of their official duties. Pursuant to title 17 Section 105 of the
United States Code this software is not subject to copyright
protection and is in the public domain. WebSubmit is an experimental
system. NIST assumes no responsibility whatsoever for its use by
other parties, and makes no guarantees, expressed or implied, about
its quality, reliability, or any other characteristic.
We would appreciate acknowledgement if the software is used.
