Indiana University

Project: Data Center relocation

Primary UITS contact: Dan Miller

Last update: August 12, 2008

Description: The Indiana University Bloomington Data Center building project is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2009. In preparation for the transition to the new Data Center from the Wrubel Computing Center, UITS and Enterprise Infrastructure will schedule multiple equipment move dates over the next 8-12 months.

About the data center: Enterprise Infrastructure manages the Advanced Cyberinfrastructure Facilities (data centers) at IU. The new data center will meet the increasing demand for secure information technology facilities on the IUB campus. With its bunkered design, the data center will have an increased capacity to withstand most natural disasters, ensuring the safety and security of IU's most important networking, computer processing, and data storage equipment. The Data Center will also provide the space and infrastructure needed to significantly upgrade the storage and computing resources dedicated to research.

Inside the approximately 82,700-square-foot data center will be three distinct machine rooms: the Enterprise, Research, and Future Research pods, sized at just over 10,000 square feet each. There will also be a centralized war room and an operations center. The machine rooms will house networking and computing infrastructure currently located in the Wrubel Computing Center. This infrastructure includes numerous data storage units and servers including the supercomputer Big Red as well as the Bloomington statewide high-speed optical hub for I-Light.

Outcome: All equipment from the Wrubel Computing Center will be relocated to the new Data Center within one year of building availability.

Milestones and status:

  • February-March 2008
    • Complete a site inventory analysis of all equipment Completed
  • April 2008
    • Work with IU Purchasing on standard server rack RFP In process
    • Develop internal and external communications plans In process
    • Periodic updates provided at Change Management meetings Completed
  • May 2008
    • Conduct on-site server rack evaluations In process
    • Schedule meetings with system owners to discuss move options and strategies In process
    • Periodic updates provided at Change Management meetings Completed
  • June 2008-March 2009
    • Select and award server rack vendor
    • Select multiple move dates
    • Prepare detailed move plans
    • Communicate move dates
    • Prepare risk and contingency plans
    • Finalize new Data Center rack layouts
    • Work with IU Purchasing on an RFQ for equipment movers
    • Complete a staffing plan that specifies move activities and how to handle day-to-day operations during the move
    • Periodic updates provided at Change Management meetings
    • Expand the members of the Systems Assurance Group (SAG) to include representation across UITS divisional units
    • With the assistance of SAG, develop and implement Data Center policies and standards
  • April-December 2009
    • Coordinate move activities
    • Conduct post-move audit and process improvement analysis after each move date
    • Periodic updates provided at Change Management meetings

Comment process: Send email to Dan Miller.

Benefits:

  • The new Data Center building is rated to withstand an F5 tornado, according to FEMA standards.
  • The Enterprise Data Center pod has an Uptime Institute Tier III rating.
  • Server virtualization and SANs between the old and new data centers will minimize application downtime during physical equipment moves.
  • The new center will improve capacity for significant upgrades to the storage and computing resources.
  • The new center will improve IU disaster recovery preparedness.

Project team:

  • Operations group:
    • Dan Miller
    • Linda Sieboldt
    • Toma Montgomery
  • Facilities group:
    • Don Brock
    • Eric Goy
    • Doug Chambers

Project partners:

Indiana University Architects Office

All UITS divisional units

  • Enterprise Infrastructure:
    • System Infrastructure
    • Telecommunication Infrastructure
  • Enterprise Software:
    • Enterprise Business Systems
    • Enterprise Academic Systems
    • Enterprise Services Integration & delivery
  • Learning Technologies:
    • Academic and Faculty Services
    • Learning Technology Operations
  • Networks
  • Research Technologies
  • Support:
    • User Support
    • Software Development and Distribution, Executive IT Support

OVPIT:

  • Information and Infrastructure Assurance
  • Administration and Finance Office
  • Communications Office
  • Pervasive Technology Labs

Current departmental collocation customers:

  • Chemistry
  • COAS/CITO
  • IUF
  • Library Information Team
  • Math Webworks
  • Pathology (IUPUI)
  • Physical Plant (VPAD)
  • SIFS

Governance:

  • EI AVP: Dennis Cromwell
  • EI Systems director: Rob Lowden