List of the Top 3 HPC Software for AWS HPC in 2025

The AWS Parallel Computing Service (AWS PCS) is a highly efficient managed service tailored for the execution and scaling of high-performance computing tasks, while also supporting the development of scientific and engineering models through the use of Slurm on the AWS platform. This service empowers users to set up completely elastic environments that integrate computing, storage, networking, and visualization tools, thereby freeing them from the burdens of infrastructure management and allowing them to concentrate on research and innovation. Additionally, AWS PCS features managed updates and built-in observability, which significantly enhance the operational efficiency of cluster maintenance and management. Users can easily build and deploy scalable, reliable, and secure HPC clusters through various interfaces, including the AWS Management Console, AWS Command Line Interface (AWS CLI), or AWS SDK. This service supports a diverse array of applications, ranging from tightly coupled workloads, such as computer-aided engineering, to high-throughput computing tasks like genomics analysis and accelerated computing using GPUs and specialized silicon, including AWS Trainium and AWS Inferentia. Moreover, organizations leveraging AWS PCS can ensure they remain competitive and innovative, harnessing cutting-edge advancements in high-performance computing to drive their research forward. By utilizing such a comprehensive service, users can optimize their computational capabilities and enhance their overall productivity in scientific exploration.

The Elastic Fabric Adapter (EFA) is a dedicated network interface tailored for Amazon EC2 instances, aimed at facilitating applications that require extensive communication between nodes when operating at large scales on AWS. By employing a unique operating system (OS), EFA bypasses conventional hardware interfaces, greatly enhancing communication efficiency among instances, which is vital for the scalability of these applications. This technology empowers High-Performance Computing (HPC) applications that utilize the Message Passing Interface (MPI) and Machine Learning (ML) applications that depend on the NVIDIA Collective Communications Library (NCCL), enabling them to seamlessly scale to thousands of CPUs or GPUs. As a result, users can achieve performance benchmarks comparable to those of traditional on-premises HPC clusters while enjoying the flexible, on-demand capabilities offered by the AWS cloud environment. This feature serves as an optional enhancement for EC2 networking and can be enabled on any compatible EC2 instance without additional costs. Furthermore, EFA integrates smoothly with a majority of commonly used interfaces, APIs, and libraries designed for inter-node communications, making it a flexible option for developers in various fields. The ability to scale applications while preserving high performance is increasingly essential in today’s data-driven world, as organizations strive to meet ever-growing computational demands. Such advancements not only enhance operational efficiency but also drive innovation across numerous industries.

AWS ParallelCluster is a free and open-source utility that simplifies the management of clusters, facilitating the setup and supervision of High-Performance Computing (HPC) clusters within the AWS ecosystem. This tool automates the installation of essential elements such as compute nodes, shared filesystems, and job schedulers, while supporting a variety of instance types and job submission queues. Users can interact with ParallelCluster through several interfaces, including a graphical user interface, command-line interface, or API, enabling flexible configuration and administration of clusters. Moreover, it integrates effortlessly with job schedulers like AWS Batch and Slurm, allowing for a smooth transition of existing HPC workloads to the cloud with minimal adjustments required. Since there are no additional costs for the tool itself, users are charged solely for the AWS resources consumed by their applications. AWS ParallelCluster not only allows users to model, provision, and dynamically manage the resources needed for their applications using a simple text file, but it also enhances automation and security. This adaptability streamlines operations and improves resource allocation, making it an essential tool for researchers and organizations aiming to utilize cloud computing for their HPC requirements. Furthermore, the ease of use and powerful features make AWS ParallelCluster an attractive option for those looking to optimize their high-performance computing workflows.