CLUMEQ

The following CLUMEQ computing resource usage policy was adopted by the board of governors at the meeting held on June 19, 2009.

Introduction

1. CLUMEQ is a private consortium governed by an operating agreement signed by all member institutions. The content and the application of the present policy are governed by this agreement. In cases in which this policy may conflict with the corresponding policy of a member institution, the present resource usage policy will prevail.
2. All users of CLUMEQ facilities, be they members of the CLUMEQ consortium or not, agree to be governed by the present policy. CLUMEQ provides its members and other authorized users with an infrastructure for research which includes resources and equipment for computing, visualization, networking and collaboration.
3. The available infrastructure is destined exclusively for research using high performance computing (HPC); these facilities do in no way strive to replace the researcher’s desktop or laboratory computers. They shall not be used by member institutions for administrative purposes.

CLUMEQ’s Rights and Responsibilities

4. To allocate the use of and access to CLUMEQ’s facilities according to the priorities defined by the Resource Allocation Committee.
5. To deny access to any user for violation of any element of this resource usage policy.
6. Where just cause is present, to act upon complaints in a reasonable manner appropriate in the circumstances and in the best interests of the consortium.
7. To inform users from time to time of their rights and responsibilities in the use of CLUMEQ facilities and to communicate clearly the terms and conditions of this policy under which access to and use of such resources and facilities are provided.
8. To make reasonable efforts to ensure that CLUMEQ facilities are maintained and operated to a level to serve the requirements of users and the purposes of the facilities, and to inform users in advance when a temporary interruption of services is required.
9. To ensure that reasonable safeguards are in place to protect the privacy of CLUMEQ users and the confidentiality of their programs and data, provided that neither CLUMEQ as a consortium or any of its member institutions individually are, nor shall they be held, liable for any loss of information.
10. To use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure the security of CLUMEQ facilities and prevent non authorized access.  These efforts may involve scanning systems for viruses or other security threats.  This activity may require CLUMEQ personnel to access user files or data.
11. To monitor performance of user jobs to ensure effective use of CLUMEQ facilities and to guard against potential abuse of infrastructure. The outcome of such monitoring may result in CLUMEQ contacting a user to improve and/or modify performance and use of CLUMEQ systems and resources.
12. To provide help and support for users to enable them to make optimal use of the facilities. This assistance may include documents available on the internet or specialized training sessions.

User’s Rights and Responsibilities

13. To use a CLUMEQ  account only with proper authorization and the access mode defined by the resource allocation committee.
14. Any attempt by a user to misrepresent identity as that of another user, including using or sharing another's account either with or without his permission, is expressly prohibited, as is any deliberate attempt to discover or alter another user's password or access key.  Any of the foregoing conduct may cause immediate cancellation of the account(s).
15. To keep passwords, or other methods of secure access, private and to ensure that the chosen passwords or keys are reasonably secure, and not to share a password or key with any other third party or user. Failure of a user to maintain adequate protection for the password, or other means of secure access, or for the account or data may result in the account being cancelled.
16. To ensure that a valid licence or letter of permission is held by the user prior to installing or using commercial software on any CLUMEQ system. A list of commercial software licensed by CLUMEQ together with conditions of use is posted on the CLUMEQ website.
17. To use CLUMEQ resources in a proper and efficient manner that does not interfere with or impair the work of other users and to use only those resources assigned to her/him by CLUMEQ. Any attempt to circumvent procedures and systems established by CLUMEQ in order to monopolize the facilities or resources is not permitted, and may result in immediate cancellation of the user's account.
18. To regularly inform CLUMEQ of publications resulting from the use of CLUMEQ infrastructure and to adequately acknowledge their use in each of his publications.
19. To ensure that user personal information (email address, telephone number, etc.) is always up-to-date in the CLUMEQ user database.
20. To use CLUMEQ facilities to store only data directly related to the research being undertaken by the user on the facilities. CLUMEQ facilities are not to be used for storing email, personal information or similar information, or as backup of other systems and files.
21. To refrain from gaining access to, copying or circumventing any data protection schemes of any data that is not public, or the files, directories or data of another user without clear authorization from the other user, or attempting to access or copy such data or circumvent such protections.
22. To refrain from interfering or attempting to interfere with the normal operation of CLUMEQ's facilities. Users must not subvert or attempt to subvert the security of any of CLUMEQ's facilities or to exploit or attempt to exploit security loopholes.
23. CLUMEQ’s facilities may not be used for illegal, immoral or unethical purposes and it is expressly agreed by the user that unauthorized copying of copyrighted software, use or execution of illegally copied software or storing of unauthorized copyrighted material on CLUMEQ’s facilities is prohibited. The collection, transmission, use or storage of any material in violation of any federal or provincial statute or the rights of a third party is prohibited.
24. The use of CLUMEQ facilities for political purposes is strictly prohibited.
25. CLUMEQ’s facilities shall not be used for any commercial purposes unless approved in writing.

Clauses Pertaining to Data

26. Notwithstanding the privacy protection clause, users should be aware that CLUMEQ regularly compiles detailed statistics on the use of its resources by users.  These statistics are requested by Compute Canada and are used to produce annual reports.
27. By default, users' files and directories are readable by only those users in the same research group, where a "research group" consists of a faculty member together with her/his sponsored users. CLUMEQ's presumption is that users in the same research group would expect to share data in this way, but users can change the default by modifying the appropriate system variable. Users are expected to understand the meaning of file permissions on the CLUMEQ systems that they use and the means whereby they can be changed. CLUMEQ is not responsible for any misunderstandings or misapplication of this policy.
28. CLUMEQ will make reasonable efforts to prepare regular backups of user accounts, but the size of these accounts will be limited by quotas.  When a user’s storage needs exceed this quota, the user may obtain additional space in a non-saved branch of the file system.  In this case, however, the data integrity will be entirely subjected to the possible variations in the reliability of the computer resources and the user must himself prepare back-ups and keep a copy of his data in his laboratory.  By accepting the terms of this policy, the user understands that notwithstanding reasonable efforts by CLUMEQ to protect the integrity and security of user data, CLUMEQ cannot guarantee either.
29. Sensitive information should not be kept on CLUMEQ systems without prior special arrangements.  Users dealing with such data in their research work must themselves take the necessary steps to ensure the security of their data, for example protecting the data using adequate encoding techniques.
30. In the event that a user cannot be contacted or is unresponsive after reasonable attempts at contact by CLUMEQ at the address provided, or if the account is abandoned, the user account may be closed. The data residing in that account will be aggregated and made available to that user's sponsor upon written request of the sponsor, and any user consents to such transmission. If the user is a sponsor, the data will be aggregated and stored by CLUMEQ to the best of its ability for a period not to exceed 1 year, and then deleted.  CLUMEQ shall not be liable for the loss of this data due to storage or deletion of the account in accordance with this policy.