# VSC Central Software Installation

https://github.com/vscentrum/vsc-software-stack (now public repo)

meeting notes @ https://github.com/vscentrum/vsc-software-stack/tree/vsc/meeting-notes

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## Next sync meetings

(current schedule: every other month (odd months), 2nd Thursday at 09:00 CE(S)T)

* Tue 31 Mar 2026, 15:30-16:30 CEST
* focused meeting on restructured software section in VSC docs
* Thu 7 May 2026, 09:00 CEST
* presentation on software installations in next Tier-1, incl. use of `vsc-apps-bot`
* update on Tier-1 Sofia w.r.t. software installations
* repeat of GSSI training in Fall 2026: set final date + more concrete agenda
* Thu 2 July 2026, 09:00 CEST
* Thu 10 Sept 2026, 09:00 CEST
* ?? physical all-hands meeting on software installation on Tier-1 Sofia
* Thu 12 Nov 2026, 09:00 CET

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# Sync meeting 2026-03-31 (15:30 CEST)

## Attendees

- UGent: Kenneth, Lara
- UA: Robin, Franky
- VUB: Sam, Jarne, Alex
- KUL: Steven, Maxime

## Notes

- current status: see overview in description in [issue #533](https://github.com/hpcleuven/VscDocumentation/issues/533)
- TODO
- Maxime: update [PR #566](https://github.com/hpcleuven/VscDocumentation/pull/566) on Conda after merge of Python packages PR + find reviewer for it
- Sam: revise containers [PR #579](https://github.com/hpcleuven/VscDocumentation/pull/579)
- Kenneth: finish WIP page on EasyBuild/Spack (review by Steven)
- Robin: revise [PR #595](https://github.com/hpcleuven/VscDocumentation/pull/595) on Julia
- Alex: finish [PR #596](https://github.com/hpcleuven/VscDocumentation/pull/596) on R
- Cintia: open PRs on Rust & Go
- Steven: freshen up page on Perl
- wrap up the effort by end of this week (Fri 3 April 2026)
- If you have anything to review, mention it in VSC Slack
- Kenneth can do merge of large [PR #534](https://github.com/hpcleuven/VscDocumentation/pull/534) to make the docs public @ docs.vscentrum.be
- Alex can look into a nicer "landing" page @ https://docs.vscentrum.be/compute/software/index.html
- GSSI training
- room is booked for Wed 14 Oct 2026
- to be discussed in detail during meeting on Thu 7 May

# Sync meeting 2026-03-05 (09:00 CET)

## Attendees

- UGent: Kenneth, Lara
- UA: Robin, Franky
- VUB: Sam, Jarne, Alex
- KUL: Steven, Maxime

## Notes

### EasyBuild

- EasyBuild v5.2.1 released (20 Feb 2026)
- change in cadence & versioning scheme for common toolchains
- next common toolchain will be `foss/2026.1` + `intel/2026.1`
- aiming towards yearly cadenace (not twice per year)
- ETA next release end of March'26
- (experimental) support for using `bwrap` to do "staged" builds or atomic rebuilds
- ? support for entrypoints (next to hooks) for customizing EasyBuild
- plans for EasyBuild 6.0.0
- ETA spring 2027
- major changes
- require Python 3.9+ (maybe even 3.11+)
- modern CLI (with subcommands, based on Click/Typer)
- consistent naming for easyconfig parameters, configuration options, constants, templates, ...
- reset Slurm environment variable in build environment
- make generic `EasyBlock` class usable to install software
- EUM'26 (21-23 April in Portugal): https://easybuild.io/eum26

### Software section in VSC docs

- [`restructure_and_update_software_section` branch](https://github.com/hpcleuven/VscDocumentation/tree/restructure_and_update_software_section)
- [GSSI-related PRs](https://github.com/hpcleuven/VscDocumentation/pulls?q=is%3Apr+is%3Aopen+gssi)
- [EESSI @ KUL in VSC docs](https://docs.vscentrum.be/leuven/leuven_module_system.html#using-modules-from-eessi)
- [issues for porting GSSI training info to docs](https://github.com/hpcleuven/VscDocumentation/issues?q=is%3Aissue%20state%3Aopen%20gssi)
- **deadline: 31 March 2026**
- focused meeting on Tue 31 Mar'26 15:30-16:30

### Software installation on Tier-1 Sofia

- moved to next meeting (7 May)
- acceptance is work-in-progress, will be finalised this month
- pilot phase to start next month, being prepared
- shortlist for pilot users already in the works
- plan to be production ready by June 2026, start of new projects
- new platform for support tickets coming (Zammad), to be integrated with Waldur (similar to EFP)

### Repeat of GSSI training in Fall 2026

- some changes should be made
- survey suggested it was too introductory, too much stuff we're not interested in
- going more in-depth would go towards overlap with existing trainings
- focus is deliberately on intro-level high-level overview
- change title/description to reflect scope of the training
- extra value compared to info in VSC docs
- same 1-day physical format, in Brussels?
- parallel sessions?
- keep hands-on session, but make it more open, announce up front
- restructure, more towards hands-on exercises
- "pick your own adventure" style, ~~with short presentations in between~~
- with kickoff presentation giving high-level overview
- let people start with prepared exercise, go beyond that into their own context (or focus on a different topic)
- date
- VSC User Day 2026 Fri 30 Oct - Mon 9 Nov - Fri 13 Nov
- school vacation 2-6 Nov
- Thu 15 Oct'26
- Thu 19 Nov'26
- Fri 20 Nov'26 (ifneedbe)
- Sam will check with Marthe @ FWO is room in Marie Belpaire is available

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## Notes over previous meetings

- see https://github.com/vscentrum/vsc-software-stack/tree/vsc/meeting-notes