Advanced Research Computing

ARC Sockeye is a high-performance computing (HPC) system provided by UBC; it’s a powerful computer that researchers can access remotely to run complex or large-scale digital tasks that would be too slow or too resource-intensive for a personal laptop or desktop.

Instead of trying to analyze big data or train an AI model on an office computer or laptop (which might crash or take days), researchers can use Sockeye’s advanced computing power to do it faster and more efficiently.

What can you do with Sockeye?

High-Performance Computing (HPC) means Sockeye can perform a massive number of tasks simultaneously. In addition, Sockeye has a plethora of Software available Some examples of what you might use Sockeye include the following:

Text Analysis at Scale: If you're working with hundreds or thousands of text files, such as interview transcripts, historical documents, or literature, Sockeye can help run large-scale analysis. This might involve tools that find recurring words or themes, track changes over time, or identify patterns across a huge collection of files. For instance, running Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools to extract metadata or identify themes across thousands of documents can be efficiently executed through Sockeye. You can learn more about the programming tools available here.

AI and Machine Learning: Sockeye can help train models that identify patterns in things like images, music, or language. For example, it might be used to help recognize visual styles in artwork or detect emotional tone in writing.

3D Modelling and Visualization Tools: Beyond programming software, Sockeye includes access to other software such as Blender, a popular 3D modelling and rendering tool. While Sockeye itself isn’t used to host the interactive visualization online, it can be used to generate high-resolution renderings, animations, or models for use in visual exhibits or archaeological reconstructions. Researchers can run Blender remotely via Sockeye to take advantage of its powerful computing capacity.

Remote Access: Lastly, with Sockeye, you don’t need to install complex software on your computer. You can connect to Sockeye through a secure internet connection, submit your work, and let it process in the background on ARC Servers.  

Traditionally, using a system like Sockeye meant learning Command-Line/Terminal Interfaces; this created a barrier for researchers unfamiliar with programming or computer systems. ARC OnDemand removes those barriers by offering an intuitive, web-based interface designed with non-technical users in mind.

ARC OnDemand gives you easy access to UBC's high-performance computing system, Sockeye, (and other Software!) without needing to use complex command-line tools or install software on your own computer. In other words, it is a research dashboard in your browser; instead of typing technical commands into a black terminal window, you click buttons and navigate menus to accomplish the same tasks, similar to using a regular app or website.

At UBC, ARC Chinook is a data storage platform for managing large and sensitive research datasets. While it’s not designed for running programs, it supports researchers who need secure, scalable storage for their data. 

Chinook is well-suited for digital archives, media collections, and iterative research outputs. It supports short- to medium-term data retention and retrieval, making it a dependable solution for evolving projects.  

Researchers don’t need to use ARC Sockeye (UBC’s high-performance computing system) to benefit from Chinook—it can function independently as a data storage platform. For those using Sockeye, the integration between Chinook and Sockeye allows you to move files between systems for processing or long-term storage.  

Additionally, Chinook works with tools like Globus and S3, enabling fast and secure data transfers to and from research computing endpoints worldwide. 

Globus is a secure, research-grade file transfer service that makes it easy to move large datasets quickly and reliably between your local computer, ARC Sockeye, ARC Chinook, or several other research endpoints (locations) with ease.

ARC OnDemand allows you to directly interact with Globus, so you can upload files directly to any of the previously mentioned destinations. This is particularly useful for Faculty of Arts researchers handling digital archives, multimedia assets, or large text corpora. You can also use Globus to transfer files across other institutional platforms worldwide, making collaborative projects easier to manage and scale.