HPC (High Performance Computing) and data storage systems for data collection and utilization are present at the INAF - Astronomical Observatory of Cagliari. This infrastructure was funded by the National Operational Program (PON) of the Italian Ministry of University and Research to meet the ever-increasing need for computational power for simulations or the processing of an ever-growing amount of experimental data, mainly coming from the Sardinia Radio Telescope*.

To increase computational capacity, parallel computing is employed, which involves the simultaneous execution of codes on computing units that make up the processing system. It is first necessary to develop software algorithms suitable to be splitted into several parts. The use of GPUs has further increased complexity.

As computing systems evolve, software must be adapted to new architectures to achieve maximum performance. The intrinsic complexity and rapid technological evolution of these tools require that people who manage and use them have a deep understanding in this field.

HPC MANUAL 

*The Enhancement of the Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT) for the study of the Universe at high radio frequencies is financially supported by the National Operative Program (Programma Operativo Nazionale - PON) of the Italian Ministry of University and Research "Research and Innovation 2014-2020", Notice D.D. 424 of 28/02/2018 for the granting of funding aimed at strengthening research infrastructures, in implementation of the Action II.1 – Project Proposal PIR01_00010.