PYA - Containers for Use with Docker, Apptainer and Compute4PUNCH Training

The PUNCH Young Academy PYA training on "Containers for Use with Docker, Apptainer and Compute4PUNCH" will take place on 16 April 2024. 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://uni-goettingen.zoom-x.de/j/65642887686?pwd=RWtlYWluV05rQkYxRnl6c1VqZHJKUT09

Meeting ID: 656 4288 7686
Passcode: 710552

Also, please join this slack workspace https://join.slack.com/t/pyacontainers-efu7991/shared_invite/zt-2gudwdigw-1zi2lKbUu5re~L2iE~8eGg that will be used during the training for announcements, questions and troubleshooting. Use the #help-installation channel if you incur any troubles during installation and setup.

The training is structured in the following way:

1. Introduction to Docker: what are containers, how to download and use pre-made containers.
2. Dockerfiles: how to create your own container from scratch.
3. Exercise: create a container for your software.
4. Tips and tricks to optimize container creation.
5. Using containers in Compute4PUNCH: differences between Docker and Apptainer, container submission to Compute4PUNCH.

At the end of the training the students will be able to understand how to use containers in their everyday scientific activity, create containers for their own software, streamline the process of container submission to the Compute4PUNCH infrastructure.

Training Requirements

You should (BEFORE April 16th):

1. Have access to a workstation or a laptop with Linux (preferred) or Mac environment, an internet connection, a web browser, and a Unix terminal. NOTE: The Linux environment is necessary to run Apptainer/Singularity as it does not run on Mac. If you do not have access to a Linux environment the best course of action is probably to set up a virtual machine with a Linux distribution and try to install Apptainer/Singularity there. If you do not manage to have an installed version of Apptainer somewhere, you will still be able to follow the Docker lecture and exercise part of the tutorial (parts 1-4) and to follow the explanation about Apptainer/Singularity and Compute4PUNCH, but not to test the Apptainer commands (part 5).
2. Install Docker (required) and Apptainer/Singularity (if possible, see previous point). Instructions can be found here: Docker (https://www.docker.com), Apptainer or Singularity (https://apptainer.org/docs/admin/main/installation.html or https://docs.sylabs.io/guides/latest/user-guide/quick_start.html#quick-installation-steps).
3. Have basic knowledge of Bash/Unix shell commands.
4. Participants who have no PUNCH AAI active account are able to fully perform the parts 1), 2), 3) and 4) of the training. However, they will only be able to follow the part 5) of the training from the slides presented by the trainer. Slides and other material will be made available for all trainees on the event indico.
5. Think of a piece of software that you can install and easily execute (e.g. that you use in your everyday analyses). It can be a python script or software in any language. IMPORTANT: you should know how to install it in a typical Linux distribution and ideally have an installation script for it. If you cannot have such a software ready for the tutorial, a list of softwares will be provided in this page.

The detailed Timetable will come soon.