RONIN - Access AWS

RONIN is a user-friendly web based management dashboard that provides a conduit between University researchers and Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud computing and storage capabilities.Ìý

RONIN allows researchers to leverage the full complexity and power of AWS cloud based computing, without facing a steep learning curve.

While RONIN provides additional flexibility for different research scenarios, this does come at a cost. Our onsite Phoenix HPC environment remains the most cost effective option, and is the preferred HPC option where possible.

RONIN and AWS are not replacing Phoenix, the University’s existing high performance compute cluster. Using RONIN and AWS is an option that researchers can consider in addition to using Phoenix and custom workstations.

Using RONIN, researchers can create and manage machines with their choice of operating system and hardware, from small servers to high performance compute clusters. There is no wait for wall-time, there is no queuing or sharing of resources as researchers directly create their own auto-scaling cluster and shut it down when done. RONIN clearly shows how much an individual machine or the project will cost and offers spot market bids for the compute nodes helping to greatly reduce costs.

The RONIN web application and AWS provides researchers with a competitive capability to:

  • Access a vast pool of compute resources.
  • Launch their own specific complex compute and/or storage resources quickly.
  • Provide an on demand environment for compute tasks
  • Scale up compute needs to meet the needs of larger research challenges
  • Adapt to the changing needs of the researchers
  • Monitor and manage cloud compute costs proactively.

Please note, RONIN is an unmanaged platform. This means the data you host here is not automatically backed up and there is no patching done by ITDS to support the operating systems of your VMs.Ìý

We advise you to only use RONIN to host ephemeral Virtual Machines for no longer than 12 months.Ìý

RONIN is not suitable for projects where data categorised as Class 3 and above is being used. Please log a ticket via the to source the appropriate solution for this.Ìý

  • Who can use RONIN?

    Academic Staff

    RONIN access is designed forÌýResearchers to conduct approved University of ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ research data processing. It is a quality solution for research that can not be conducted within Phoenix. There is a cost to each user that uses RONIN.ÌýPlease note, you may be eligible for a quota of up to US$330 per project per year.Ìý

    HDR Students

    High Degree Research Students can utilise RONIN under the approval and supervision of their supervisor, as there may be costs associated with using this service.

    Teaching Purposes (students)

    There may be situations where a UndergraduateÌýstudent may need to use RONINÌýfor their university learning. This would need to be approved by the faculty finance teamÌýprior to access being granted as there would need to be supervision and costs covered for the usage.

  • Who is responsible for RONIN?

    There are multiple layers of responsiblity for RONIN.

    Users of RONIN

    When using RONIN, you need to ensure everyone in your work group uses it for approved University of ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ purposes. All users of RONIN are responsible for monitoring their own usage of RONIN and to remove data when you are finished, as it will continue to incur costs even if you are not actively using it. If youÌýare new to RONIN you may want to arrange a time with the HPC specialists within the University. This can be arranged by logging a ticket with ITDS via the .

    Tel: +61 8 8313 3000ÌýÌý

    Business Owner

    For governance, approvals, investment inÌýor feedback on RONIN, please contact theÌýDivision of Research and Innovation.

    Service Owner

    If you are having issues with the technology infrastructure of RONIN, eg if it is not working, you canÌýcontact the ITDS Service Desk. You can also visit our or the webpage for further information.

  • Features and benefits

    RONIN is specifically designed for researchers to easily access the scale and flexibility of Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud computing platforms without having highly specialised computing and technical skills. Using RONIN, researchers launch their own specific complex compute and/or storage resources within minutes, not months. There is no wait for wall-time, there is no queuing or sharing of the resource as they create their own auto-scaling cluster and shut it down when they are done.

    RONIN provides researchers with:

    • The ability to easily unlock and access the scale and flexibility of Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud computing platforms without needing to have highly specialised computing and technical skills.