2 high-performance computers, running Windows server.

ChemIT actions

1) Determine if there is rack space, and where it is.

2) Worth doing Hyper-V? (Oliver guesses probably not.)

Selection and pricing

Computer pricing considerations.

Note: No charge for Windows OS, due to Cornell's campus agreement.

Plus:

~$170 for a UPS (see below).

~$150 for network cables, including maybe a switch.

• Racks are ~$550, but generally bought by those with bigger systems and not "sold back" for recovery.

Support and Risk management considerations

Remember these are two distinct servers, both running Windows Server.

OS maintenance windows

Managed update settings are used so updates are predictable to researchers, and don't interrupt running jobs.

• Updates are set to download and install automatically when received, no reboot.
• To complete installation, a manual reboot is usually required. This will be performed by ChemIT, so no surprised interruptions.
• Normally,  updates are provided by Microsoft on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Installation will occur within 2-3 days, and ChemIT will reboot to complete.
  • If the machine is not in use, ChemIT will reboot to complete updates.
  • If the machine is in use, ChemIT will request a time to reboot within one week of the update release.
• Exceptions:

• • Out of band updates are sometimes released on other dates. If they are important, they may need to be installed before the normal dates. ChemIT will coordinate with group rep.
  • Critical updates may occasionally need to be installed within 24-48 hours of release . ChemIT will coordinate with group rep.
  • Other maintenance may sometimes need to be scheduled. If ~4hour window of interruption, should be fine if date/ time known well in advance to researchers. ChemIT will coordinate with group rep.

Security

Network configured to prevent off-campus access, unless using VPN (10-space).

• No web, email, etc. access from the systems. (Not a "play" station!)

• Systems still able to get updates via the network.

Leave Symantec Anti-Virus (SAV) off, for increased performance.

• Researchers must practice safe computing practices, of course.

Robustness

Data

Confirm: Data not stored persistently on either of these computational systems, thus reducing the value in investing in these data options.

Data options

1) EZ-Backup: off-site, robust backup

• EZ-Backup: $5.50/ month, for first 18 GB, compressed.

Reasons to not do this, other than cost:

• Periodic performance hit, during daily backup window.
• ChemIT will restore OS and applications without relying on backups since faster. So do //only// for researchers' data.
  • If all calculations are pulled off system right away, need for backups is thus much reduced.

2) 2 drives, mirrored, in each server. Via hard ware RAID, ideally.

• If OK redoing last run if the single drive fails, no need to invest.
• Can always buy a second drive later, if want to start doing this. (Only 2 drives per computer, see (3), below.)

3) File versioning, local. Would need another drive (need? want?).

• Can get via saves to off-site file share, such as Petersen's SFS file share.
  • Size and quantity of data expected?
• Can always buy a second drive later, if want to start doing this. (Only 2 drives per computer, see (2), above.)

UPS

~$170. Budget to replace every ~3 years or so.

GOAL: Protect against power outages measured in at least the single-digit minutes.

• Both servers covered by one UPS.
  • Q: For how much time, versus one server per one UPS?
• Only one server can be governed by UPS status.
  • Q: Invest in figuring out how to shut down second server elegantly, from UPS-governed server?

Access and permissions

Up to 2 Remote Desktop accounts at once, per server (plus console access).

• Above that, must add and invest server resources to run Terminal Services.

Group's file management via NetID directories? Or simply move to group's file server?

Who all needs access, and to what?