Installing Conda

There are 2 ways to use Conda on the Discovery Cluster. The first is to use one of the read-only global software modules. Second is to install Conda into your home, or project directory, using our in-house tool called SStack.

Global Software Module

Conda is provided via a global module called 'conda'. There may be multiple versions available but usually the newest version is preferred. This method is great when you are only using a few separate environments or when quota space is not an issue.

Check out the available "conda" modules:

$ module spider conda

--------------------------------------------------------
  conda:
--------------------------------------------------------
     Versions:
        conda/2022a
        conda/2023a

--------------------------------------------------------
  For detailed information about a specific "conda" package (including how to load the modules) use the module's full name.
  Note that names that have a trailing (E) are extensions provided by other modules.
  For example:

     $ module spider conda/2023a
--------------------------------------------------------

Load specific 'conda' module:

$ module load conda/2023a

$ conda --version
conda 23.7.3
$ mamba --version
mamba 1.5.1
conda 23.7.3

Load default 'conda' module:

$ module load conda

$ conda --version
conda 23.7.3
$ mamba --version
mamba 1.5.1
conda 23.7.3

SStack Conda Deployment

SStack is a tool to install multiple software stacks, such as Spack, EasyBuild, Conda or others. These stacks are then linked together, using Lmod module files, to easily integrate with most HPC environments.

You can use SStack to install Conda to your home, or project, directory by following the documentation on the How to Use SStack and SStack Conda Type pages.

This method is best when using many virtual environments as you will get space savings due to a difference in the behavior of Conda. When installing environments into the installation directory, no prefix or home directory override, Conda will save disk space by using a combination of hard-links or soft-links.