Custom research solutions
Do you have servers running in your lab? Are you planning to buy server equipment for your research project? We can help. Our team can house and maintain your infrastructure so you can focus on research instead. We also run several database and application server environments to host custom applications and websites.
These are paid services but fees will be reduced or waived entirely if you're willing to attach your equipment to a research Cloud or HPC cluster hosted at UVic. This option would add your server resources into the pool available for high performance computing.
UVic research databases
Researchers who run services like custom applications or websites often require databases. University Systems maintains enterprise-level database and application server environments, including:
- MySQL
- PostgreSQL
- Microsoft SQL
This service includes database maintenance like:
- System updates and security patches
- Proactive monitoring and response
- Regular backups
Costs
Fees start at $150 per month for dedicated databases and include a service level agreement. These fees may be waived if you use a shared database environment.
Server colocation
UVic has two central data centres with significant capacity available to researchers. Equipment housed in our data centres is provided with:
- Physical space with enterprise-level power and cooling.
- Monitored access control to ensure integrity and security of equipment.
- A connection to the CANARIE Network, Canada's high-speed research network.
Costs
This service is generally free, but very large deployments may need to pay for high power costs.
System administration
We can provide system administrator services for any research server colocated in our data centres. As part of this service, University Systems staff will perform ongoing maintenance and operation of your servers. This can include:
- Server configuration
- Operating system updates
- Provisioning server access*
- Proactive system health monitoring and response
- Security incident response
- Troubleshooting and problem resolution
- Regular backups
*please note that application-level support (including user provisioning and application installation/update/upgrades) is not included in the base service.
Need to buy new equipment?
We support you from design, through to purchasing, implementation, and maintenance. This service also includes physical deployment and maintenance for your server equipment. Our data centre team will:
- Receive your new server.
- Set up your server.
- Repair/replace broken parts.
- Decommission retired servers.
Costs
Fees start at $900 per server per year and include a service level agreement. Fees will be reduced or waived entirely if you're willing to add your equipment into the high performance computing resource pool.
Support
If you're interested in any of our paid infrastructure services, contact our data centre team. We can discuss options that fit your needs and budget.