# Astro3

Access, accounts, and storage for the astro3 cluster.

# Accessing astro3

How to get access and connect to the astro3 cluster over SSH.

## Requirements

- Must be a member of the `physics_astro3` LDAP group
- Valid Tel Aviv University username and password
- If connecting from outside the TAU network: TAU VPN must be active — see [Palo Alto VPN](https://hpcguide.tau.ac.il/books/getting-started/page/palo-alto-vpn)

## Login Node

Direct SSH to the astro3 head node — no load-balanced login pool like powerslurm:

```bash
astro3.tau.ac.il
```

## Connecting via SSH

```bash
ssh your_username@astro3.tau.ac.il
```

With an SSH key:

```bash
ssh -i /path/to/your/private_key your_username@astro3.tau.ac.il
```

## Important

- Do not run compute jobs directly on the head node — use `sbatch` or `srun`
- The head node is shared — heavy processes may be killed

# astro3 Account & Partitions

astro3 uses its own Slurm account and partitions, separate from the main powerslurm cluster.

## Your Account

All astro3 users are under the account:

```bash
astro3-users
```

This is your default account — you don't need to specify `--account` when submitting jobs.

## Partitions

<table id="bkmrk-partition-notes-work"><thead><tr><th>Partition</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>`workq`</td><td>Default partition</td></tr><tr><td>`galaxyformation`</td><td>Available to all astro3 users</td></tr></tbody></table>

Both partitions have access to all cluster nodes.

## Useful Commands

```bash
# View all partitions and their status
sinfo

# View partition details
scontrol show partition workq

# View your running and pending jobs
squeue -u your_username
```

## Submitting Jobs / General Slurm Usage

For job script syntax, `sbatch`/`srun` usage, and job arrays, see the existing [Running Jobs](https://hpcguide.tau.ac.il/books/running-jobs) book and [Common Slurm Commands](https://hpcguide.tau.ac.il/books/reference/page/common-slurm-commands) reference — these apply the same way on astro3 as on the main cluster.

## Coming from PBS?

If you're used to the old PBS/Torque system, see [PBS to Slurm Migration](https://hpcguide.tau.ac.il/books/reference/page/pbs-to-slurm-migration) for command equivalents.

## Need Access?

If you believe you should have astro3 access but don't, contact the HPC team at <hpc@tauex.tau.ac.il>.