Why PARASOL
Some students have paid for cloud GPUs to finish coursework. PARASOL is the campus response, with more GPUs and reservations.
Read whyWhat it is
A Shared Cluster for Teaching and Learning with Data
PARASOL is the computing platform behind Datahub. Students open Jupyter or RStudio in a browser, and the session runs in a container on a cluster of CPUs and GPUs that UC San Diego operates on campus.
Courses use it from introductory data science to graduate machine learning, and in biology, music, the social sciences, and public health. The same cluster runs research work outside a course, on the same terms as instruction.
PARASOL stands for Platform for Applied Research, Analytics, Science and Open Learning. It is the platform formerly called DSMLP, the Data Science and Machine Learning Platform. It also takes in the research work formerly called the Research Cluster.
In this section
More About PARASOL
From DSMLP to PARASOL
What the new name changes, what stays the same, and where the old documentation went.
See what changedHow PARASOL Works
Workspaces, GPUs, storage, software images, and the rules that apply to all work on the cluster.
Learn how it worksEligibility
Who Can Use PARASOL
Instruction comes first. Each group reaches the platform through its own workspace, with its own resources and access dates.
Students in a Course
Access comes from the course roster, so there is nothing to request. See Using Datahub in a Course.
Instructors and TAs
Instructors request a course workspace before the term. See Teaching with Datahub and PARASOL.
Student Projects
Students request access separately for independent study, capstones, and club or team projects. See Projects & Independent Study.
Researchers and Labs
Approved research runs off-peak and in lab workspaces. See Research on PARASOL and Setting Up a Research Lab.
Who runs it
Operations and Support
UC San Diego IT Services builds and runs PARASOL, including Datahub, the cluster, the reservation app, and support at parasol@ucsd.edu. IT Services also gives instructors guidance and training on setting up a course. Research IT supports research work on PARASOL at rcd-support@ucsd.edu, and helps researchers decide whether PARASOL or another campus platform fits their work.