In eResearch, supercomputers can be used to process complex data sets and carry out complicated modelling or statistical queries that standard desktop computers would find it difficult or impossible to perform. These processing tasks are called 'jobs' and can be carried out locally using eResearch SA's supercomputers, or remotely using the Australian Research Collaboration Service (ARCS) National Grid.

The grid is a network of supercomputers, data repositories, scientific instruments and software applications that enable researchers from around the country to share resources for enhanced job submission and computing capabilities.

The grid gives researchers:

• access to a broad range of software that may not be available on local supercomputers
• the ability to have jobs processed quickly if local queues are full
• access to data stored remotely.

Access to the grid is via the grid gateway, a standard interface between your computer and the different technologies and machines that make up the grid.

To get a job processed, you need to submit it to the gateway where it will join a processing queue. You can do this using a job portal or custom desktop tool, easy-to-use programs that communicate between the application you use to process your data and the scripting standard used by the gateway. By doing away with the need to write unix code, these tools have made it easier for researchers from all backgrounds to access and use the grid.

To learn more about the national grid, visit the ARCS website or talk to the eResearch SA Service Desk.