Log into Access Desktop and Register an HPC Cluster

Log into Access Desktop and register an HPC cluster so that you can begin submitting jobs to the Workload Manager.

Launch Access Desktop

Launch Access Desktop so that you can submit jobs to the Workload Manager.

Double-click the Access Desktop icon shortcut that appears on the desktop to launch Access Desktop.
Once Access Desktop is up and running, you are prompted to either login or register an HPC cluster.
Note: Before you can login and submit jobs to the Workload Manager, you must add a HPC cluster. If you have already registered an HPC cluster, then the Access Desktop login screen is displayed. Otherwise, you will be prompted to register an HPC cluster.

Add a Cluster Using SSH

Add and establish a connection to the HPC or Workgroup using SSH by registering it so that you may begin submitting and monitoring jobs.

To add a cluster using SSH you will need a valid set of credentials to connect to the PBS Server or the Workgroup computer.

Select the Skip this next time option while registering a cluster to resume file uploads, downloads, and jobs after a network disconnection.

  1. Open the Windows system tray.
  2. Double-click the Access Desktop icon .
  3. Click .
  4. Select Clusters.
    A Clusters dialog box is displayed.


    Figure 1. Add Cluster
  5. Choose one of the following options:
    • Select PBS to add a PBS Server.
    • Select Workgroup to add a Workgroup computer.
  6. For Cluster Display Name, enter a name for the cluster as it is displayed within Access Desktop.
  7. For Login Node Name, enter the host name of the machine where the PBS Server is installed.
    Note: The default port number for SSH is 22. If SSH is configured to use a different port number add it along with the host name.
  8. For Username, enter your user name.
  9. Choose one of the following options:
    • Select Password from the drop down box and enter your password.
    • Select SSH Key from the drop down menu and import the private SSH key file.
  10. Optional: If you have chosen to enter your password, you may enable Skip this next time, so that you do not have to enter your credentials again.
  11. Enter the location on the PBS Server where job files are staged when a job is running.
  12. Choose one of the following options:
    • If you have chosen to store your application definitions in a central repository rather than on your workstation, enter the URL for accessing the central repository in the format https://<HOSTNAME>:4443 where <HOSTNAME> is the hostname of the machine where Access Web is installed.
      Note: If the central repository is being hosted on the PBS Server, then the URL is automatically populated.
    • If you have chosen to store your application definitions locally, then remove the URL.
  13. Click Add.
    Tip: Repeat the previous steps to add additional clusters.
  14. Click Done.
    The cluster is added successfully and a green check mark is displayed next to the cluster name.

Add Access Web Using HTTPS

Add and connect to Access Web server using HTTPS to submit and monitor jobs.

Before you begin: You need the URL of an Access Web server and a valid set of credentials to add a cluster using HTTPS.
All communication between Access Desktop andAccess Web is encrypted.
  1. Open the Windows system tray.
  2. Double-click the Access Desktop icon .
  3. Click .
  4. Select Clusters.
    A Clusters dialog box is displayed.
  5. Select HTTPS from the drop-down list.

    Adding a Cluster
    Figure 2. Adding a Cluster
  6. Enter a Cluster Display Name.
    Note: You can use alphanumeric characters for a cluster display name.
  7. Enter the Access Web URL in the format https://<hostname>:4443. Hostname is the machine where Access Web is installed.
    Note: If a hostname is provided during the Access Web installation enter the Access Web URL using the hostname to register the HTTPS cluster. Similarly follow the same if IP address is provided.
  8. Click Add.
    A new web browser is launched and authenticates the user using the OpenID Connect (OIDC) and provides an authenticate code.

    OIDC Authentication
    Figure 3. OIDC Authentication to Altair Access
  9. Click Submit.
    The Access login page is displayed.
  10. Enter your credentials.

    Access Web Login
    Figure 4. Access Web Login
  11. Click Log In.

    Successful Login
    Figure 5. Successful Login to Access
  12. Close the browser. Return to the Access Desktop application; the cluster is added, and a green check mark is displayed next to the cluster name.


    Figure 6. HTTPS Cluster Registered to Access
    Tip: Repeat the steps to add an additional HTTPS cluster.

Add Altair One Using HTTPS

Add and connect to Altair One server using HTTPS to submit and monitor jobs.

Before you begin: You need the URL of an Altair One server https://www.altairone.com and a valid set of credentials.
All communication between Access Desktop and Altair One is encrypted.
  1. Open the Windows system tray.
  2. Double-click the Access Desktop icon .
  3. Click .
  4. Select Clusters.
    A Clusters dialog box is displayed.
  5. Select HTTPS from the drop-down list.

    Adding a Cluster
    Figure 7. Adding a Cluster
  6. Enter a Cluster Display Name.
    Note: You can use alphanumeric characters for a cluster display name.
  7. Enter the Altair One URL https://www.altairone.com and select the Use Altair One checkbox.


    Figure 8. Connect to Altair One Server
  8. Click Add.
    A new web browser is launched and authenticates the user using the OpenID Connect (OIDC) and provides an authenticate code.


    Figure 9. OIDC Authentication to Altair One
  9. Click Next.
  10. Enter your Altair One login credentials.


    Figure 10. Altair One Credentials
  11. Click Verify.
    The device is connected and activated.


    Figure 11. Successful Login to Altair One
  12. Close the browser. Return to the Access Desktop application; the cluster is added, and a green check mark is displayed next to the cluster name.


    Figure 12. HTTPS Cluster Registered to Altair One
    Tip: Repeat the steps to add an additional HTTPS cluster.

Log into Access Desktop

Login to Access Desktop to submit and monitor jobs.

After launching Access Desktop, a login screen is displayed if you have previously registered an HPC cluster without enabling Skip this next time option. To login to Access Desktop, you must login using your credentials for that HPC cluster. The HPC cluster that has been registered is displayed on the left.


Figure 13. Login Screen
  1. For Username, enter your username credential.
  2. Choose one of the following options:
    • Select Password from the drop down menu and enter your password.
    • Select SSH Key from the drop down menu and import the RSA private SSH key file.
  3. Optional: If you have chosen to enter your password, you may enable Skip this next time, so that you do not have to enter your credentials again.

    An SSH key is generated and stored allowing you to login to the cluster without having to enter your credentials.

You are logged into Access Desktop and can now start submitting jobs. The Access Desktop application can be accessed from the System Tray located in the Windows Taskbar.