HPC Foundations Essentials Edition

Overview

HPC Foundations Essentials Edition is a streamlined edition of the Rescale HPC Foundations (HPCF) platform designed for teams running a small set of CPU-based computational engineering and science workflows. It gives you access to the main Rescale compute stack — batch jobs, Elastic Cloud Workstations, a pre-installed software library, and the full admin portal — at a lower platform cost, in exchange for a reduced feature set.

If your account has been moved to Essentials Edition, this article explains what you have access to, what has changed, and how to get the most out of the platform.

Highlights

  • Full HPC compute stack: Run batch jobs, Kubernetes jobs, and Elastic Cloud Workstations on AWS and Azure using the same underlying infrastructure as Rescale’s enterprise customers.
  • Pre-installed software library: Access 1,000+ pre-installed software titles and job templates — no manual installation or maintenance required.
  • Built-in administration: Complete cost visibility, team management, budgets, policies, and workspace controls are all included.
  • Upgrade path: You can move to the full HPCF Enterprise Edition at any time to unlock advanced features without migrating your data or workflows.

What’s Included and What’s Not

Essentials Edition includes the core Rescale compute platform. Some advanced features available in HPCF Enterprise Edition are not included.

Features Included

CategoryFeatures
Compute & JobsBatch jobs, Kubernetes jobs, Elastic Cloud Workstations (ECW)
HardwareAccess to a curated list of CPU-based coretypes (see the Available Coretypes section below)
StorageRescale Files, High Performance Storage (HPS)
SoftwarePre-installed software library, job templates
Add-onsOn-demand ISV licensing, License Proxy / CLP, Hosted License Server
AdministrationAdmin portal (dashboards, activity, policies, teams, financials), budgets, workspaces

Features Not Included

CategoryWhat’s excluded
HardwareGPU coretypes, Cloud File System (Lustre / CFS)
AdministrationCNAF, resource tags and custom fields, automations, Performance Profiles, Coretype Explorer
SoftwareSoftware Publisher
AI & AutomationRescale Assistant, AM&S Prebuilt Agents, custom agent building, agent library, deterministic and agentic workflows, process automation, workflow templates, any AI Physics capability
Data ConnectorsCloud object storage connectors beyond the base platform
ComplianceFedRAMP Moderate (Government Essentials Edition provides ITAR only)

Note: Not all coretypes are available on Essentials Edition. GPU coretypes are not available.

Available Coretypes

Essentials Edition provides access to a curated set of CPU-based coretypes across Linux and Windows. The available set may be updated over time; please reference the product for the most up-to-date list.

Using HPCF Essentials Edition

Prerequisites

  • Your account must have been provisioned on HPCF Essentials Edition. If you’re unsure which edition you’re on, contact your Rescale account team.
  • You need an active deposit to run jobs. Contact your account team if your deposit balance is running low.

Pricing

HPCF Essentials Edition uses a deposit-based pricing model. You pre-purchase a deposit, and usage draws down from that balance.

What draws down your deposit: – Compute usage (core-hours by coretype) – Supporting infrastructure (Rescale Files, HPS, data transfer) – Any purchased add-ons (VPN, CLP, license hosting, on-demand ISV licensing)

Contact your Rescale account team to add a deposit or discuss your current balance.

FAQ

I used to have access to a feature that’s no longer available. What happened?

Essentials Edition includes the core HPCF compute stack but does not include advanced features such as AI capabilities, workflow automation, resource tags, CNAF, Coretype Explorer, or Performance Profiles. If you need access to these features, contact your account team about upgrading to HPCF Enterprise Edition.

A coretype I previously used isn’t showing up. Where did it go?

Not all coretypes are available under Essentials Edition. GPU coretypes are not available. If a specific coretype you need is not available in the Edition, contact Support or your account team to discuss your options.

Can I still access my existing job history and output files?

Yes. Your job history, output files, and Rescale Files storage are all accessible. The move to Essentials Edition does not affect your existing data or completed job records.

Can I upgrade back to the full HPCF Enterprise Edition?

Yes. You can move to HPCF Enterprise Edition at any time to regain access to the full feature set, including AI capabilities, workflow automation, and all coretypes. Contact your account team to initiate an upgrade.

Is Essentials Edition available in all regions?

Essentials Edition is available in Global/US, Europe, and Government regions. APAC is not currently supported. FedRAMP Moderate and IL5 compliance is not available in the Essentials Edition.

Does Essentials Edition meet compliance requirements?

Essentials Edition supports ISO 27001, SOC 2, and GDPR compliance, amongst others. For government workloads, Essentials Government Edition provides ITAR compliance.