Cluster Software¶

Software Modules¶

Unlike a traditional desktop, you must load the different software that you wish to use into the environment via modulefiles. The list of supported software can be found on Software List or by typing:

module avail

Viewing, Retrieving, and Disabling Module Software¶

The most frequently used module commands are:

module list              # See active software modules
module load <software>   # Enable software
module unload <software> # Disable software
module purge             # Removes all active modules

Replace <software> with the name of the desired software module from module avail.

Latest Version of R¶

As of September 2021, the latest version of R on ICC is R 4.1.1. We recommend using the latest version of R with the _sandybridge suffix. The reason for using _sandybridge is to ensure compatibility on older nodes inside of the stat partition. For an example of a compatibility error, please see Debugging Errors.

Moreover, with this version, the default library does not contain any non-standard packages.

R can be accessed by using:

# Load software
module load R/4.1.1_sandybridge

Note: If the version is not specified during the load, e.g. module load R, then a default version of R will be used. This default may change without warning.

Once R is loaded, the Terminal/non-GUI version of R can be started by typing:

To exit an R session on the cluster, type inside R:

q(save = "no")

This will terminate the R session without saving any environment values.

Ask for Help¶

ICC's help desk (via help@campuscluster.illinois.edu) can help install software on ICC. Please send them an e-mail and CC your advisor.

Writing a Custom Module¶

It is possible to compile and create your own modules. For details, see the tutorial A Modulefile Approach to Compiling R on a Cluster.