Introduction

Welcome to current and future users of the eXtensible Resource Allocation Service, better known as XRAS (pronounced “EX-raz”)! We have compiled this documentation to help the allocation administrators at XRAS client sites understand the features provided by the system. 

Let’s start by quickly defining what XRAS is and is not. XRAS is a suite of tools for managing an allocation process, which includes users submitting requests, panel members (or staff) reviewing those requests, and allocation administrators finalizing project awards based on those requests and reviews. Many aspects of XRAS are similar to systems you may have used to submit papers for review by a technical program committee to determine which papers are accepted at a conference. Where XRAS offers added value for sites operating an allocation process is (a) incorporating your resources and resource information into the request and review process, (b) providing an integrated history of users and their requests at your site, and (c) allowing XRAS to integrate with your local allocation and accounting systems. XRAS is not a management tool for your local research computing resources; your site will still use your existing systems for managing user accounts and access to your resources.

Following this introduction, we next give a brief overview of the XRAS architecture, then introduce some key terminology that pervades any discussion of XRAS (and allocations more generally). With that terminology under our belts, we include a brief description of a general high-level workflow that you will likely follow or adapt while using XRAS to manage your allocations process. This workflow discussion points to sections later in this document to help you find the detailed instructions for each feature.

From here, we move into sections that proceed methodically through the various aspects of XRAS. First, we cover setting up and customizing XRAS to your needs and also how you can integrate XRAS with your local systems and services. Next, we’ll talk briefly about the XRAS Submit and Review components, paying particular attention to features of interest to allocation administrators. Finally, we’ll move into the XRAS Admin application, discussing the features accessible from the main navigation menu, the key functions of reviewing and processing requests, and finally the detailed settings and configuration options at your disposal.

Note that XRAS is under current development as part of the ACCESS Allocations Service and some features may have been changed or added since the latest version of this guide was published. Contact us via the website to subscribe to our XRAS clients admins mailing list, learn about the latest features, participate in monthly calls, or simply to exchange questions and answers with other XRAS users.