UC Davis Information & Educational Technology

Strategic Approach to Investments in Computing Facilities (SAICF)

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Sponsor: Enrique Lavernia, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor

Status Updates:

November 2009: The Server Room Space Evaluation Committee (SRSEC) initially explored the possibility of a server buy-back program for the campus. This work has evolved in a potential server consolidation program leveraging the centrally-managed virtualization service.

September 2009: VP Siegel alerted CODVC that IET, under the recommendation of the SAICF, initiated a study to determine the feasibility of relocating some or all data center systems to the UC San Diego Supercomputer Center. 

June 2009: The campus engaged ATI to deliver a feasibility study of three spaces for additional server room collocation opportunities on campus.  These spaces are TB 193, Academic Surge and Hoagland Hall Annex.  Early feasibility results indicate Academic Surge as the best location.  Final study results are anticipated by mid-December 2009

January 2009: Additional investments for collocation server room opportunities are explored, including the analysis to determine fully-loaded costs for collocation facilities.  The Watershed server room is established as a centrally-managed collocation facility, with state of the art technology for access, and monitoring.  This space was made available through collaborations with College of Engineering, ORMP, and SAICF.   

December 2008: VC Meyer and VP Siegel distributed a memo to the research community and the deans outlining a campus process for identifying and addressing existing and future computing facilities needs.

April 2008: The Strategic Approach to Investments in Computing Facilities (SAICF) established a technical subcommittee to address quickly and flexibly individual requests to renovate existing server room spaces or establish new ones (Server Room Space Evaluation Committee - SRSEC). As of early December, SAICF has reviewed 23 requests from 16 different units and, in every case, have identified specific solutions for the short term, through currently available spaces and the renovation of college facilities. 

To assist in the effort to ensure a comprehensive understanding of existing, near term, and longer term computing facility needs, each dean designated a “computing facilities liaison” who is asked to represent the current and projected needs of their respective units. Faculty with research computing needs (significant server space, renovations to address power or cooling needs, specialized networking or other requirements) are encouraged to contact their unit’s liaison to ensure their needs are well-understood and represented.

Meetings and action items:

Resources:

Charge to the SAICF
In December 2007, Interim Provost Horwitz formed the Strategic Approach to Investments in Computing Facilities Committee (SAICFC), co-chaired by Peter M. Siegel, CIO and vice provost for Information and Educational Technology and John Meyer, vice chancellor for the Office of Resource Management and Planning. This committee was charged to develop a sound campus-wide (i.e., Davis and Sacramento) strategy that will guide and inform investments in computing facilities.

Working with the committees who oversee our facility planning process and others, the SAICF was charged to establish a common, central process to review and coordinate new construction, renovations, and "ad-hoc" requests for increased utility services for space used as computer (server) rooms.  Included in this charge is the development of sound criteria (such as annual utility cost, an initial investment threshold, specialized design requirements, etc.) around which this coordination can be based.

SAICF Members

  • John Meyer, Co-Chair, Administration and Resource Management
  • Pete Siegel, Co-Chair, Information and Educational Technology
  • Zhi Ding, Professor, Electrical and Computing Engineering
  • Maurice Hollman, Office of Resource Management and Planning (through June 2009)
  • Allen Tollefson, Administration and Resource Management (beginning July 2009)
  • Barry Klein, Office of Research
  • Enrique Lavernia, College of Engineering (thru September 2008)
  • Morna Mellor, Information and Educational Technology
  • Michael Minear, University of California Health System
  • Karl Mohr, Office of Resource Management and Planning
  • Stan Nosek, Administration and Resource Management
  • Dave Shelby, Information and Educational Technology
  • Bruce White, College of Engineering (beginning January 2009)

Activity Framework (as of 11/09)

Completed to-date

  • Establishment of Server Room Space Evaluation Committee.
  • Development of a process for space requests and approval mechanism.
  • Off-campus site evaluations and tours of potential data center opportunities.
  • Request for Deans’ and Vice Chancellors computing facilities liaisons for understanding respective units’ needs.
  • Campus engagement with units’ computing facilities liaisons.
  • Watershed server room becomes the first campus collocation facility with state of the art technology for key access, and monitoring.
  • Development of server room self assessment tool (PPM 310-22 Cyber Safety program).
  • Engineering assessments for the creation of new server room space in existing buildings (TB 193, Academic Surge, Hoagland Hall Annex).
  • UCOP energy assessment.
  • Data Center Request for Information was released to establish framework for more detailed discussions with data center commercial interests, as appropriate.
  • Funding model for centrally managed space.

Activities underway

  • Fully-loaded cost model to be finalized for collocation facilities completed.  Determination of possible rate structure is under consideration including recommendations from the Capital Budget and Space Planning Subcommittee report.  
  • Feasibility study for UC San Diego Supercomputer Center is underway.
  • SRSEC initially explored possibilities of a campus server buy-back program; however research indicates a server consolidation program, leveraging the centrally-managed virtualization service, may provide greater benefits to the campus.
  • ATI feasibility study final results are anticipated by mid-December 2009.

Contact information