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Pay-per-use on Roar now available

Posted on April 14, 2025

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Institute for Computational and Data Sciences (ICDS) is now making compute credits available to all Roar users.

The new credit-based model gives you the flexibility to try out different compute hardware configurations at will and ensure you only pay for the resources you use.

You can even purchase Roar credits yourself anytime through iLab.

ICDS’ new model has different modes which see different benefits. The best plan depends on your particular needs and circumstances.

With an Allocation:

  • Get immediate access to resources earmarked for your use

  • Utilize resources 24/7 for one price

  • Get straightforward budgeting

With the Credit-based usage:

  • Pay for only what you use

  • Access to different compute configurations at will

  • No time commitment of an allocation

Hybrid (an Allocation augmented with Credits):

  • Base Allocation for time intensive jobs and where immediate access is critical

  • Supplement with Credits for temporary needs and “bursty” workflows

ICDS has developed two simple command line utilities that can help you calculate your credit needs based on your actual usage patterns. Check out the User Guide for more information.

If you have more questions about how to use Roar Credits, how to buy credits in iLab, or pricing, visit the ICDS website or contact us at icds@psu.edu.

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