System Hosting Policy

From Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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When the Computer and Network Resource Group (CNRG) manages a system, they assume the ultimate responsibility for the security of the system, not including any software being developed by the end user. As a result, for systems administered by the CNRG, no user will be allowed to have root  access outside of CNRG personnel. In addition, all systems administered by CNRG will be monitored continuously by software, and in case of an outage, CNRG members will respond to restore the service as soon as possible.

Costs[edit]

For systems that are static (i.e. there are no changes other than security updates that are needed for the system), the IGB will charge 10% junior CNRG members' salary to compensate for the costs of hosting the machine. This fee includes operating systems upgrades and hardware support, but not the hardware itself should it fail or any modification or authoring of programs.

For systems that require more attention, such as frequent installation of new and different types of software, the IGB will charge 15% of junior CNRG members' salary. This fee includes operating systems upgrades and hardware support, but not the hardware itself should it fail. This does not include the modification or authoring of programs.

For systems that require a significant portion of time in software development, the IGB will charge 20% of senior CNRG members' salary. A designated CNRG member will make a best effort attempt to meet programming goals and assist with the more unique requests that the project may entail. This fee includes operating systems upgrades and hardware support, but not the hardware itself should it fail.

Occasionally a project may need a full time dedicated programmer to ensure success. The CNRG cannot provide this, but will work with a faculty member on a compensation plan to host a machine on a per case basis.

Any software or hardware that is required of the system, beyond the basic operating system license, is not covered by any of the above agreements.

Benefits[edit]

For the said costs mentioned above, all hosted systems benefit from the following:

  1. Operating system licensing for an operating system recommended by CNRG
  2. Operating system patching
  3. Hardware troubleshooting
  4. Backup of each system's storage as of system purchase
  5. User management, with approval of owner or designate
  6. Application installation/patching
  7. After hours hardware failure support
  8. Rack space in CNRG server room with appropriate cooling

Agreements[edit]

In order for CNRG to successfully administrate the machines, users have to agree to certain conditions.  These conditions are, but are not limited to:

  1. The surrender of physical access to the system
  2. The surrender of root access
  3. Pseudo will only be given out at the discretion of CNRG staff
  4. Only CNRG staff will approve and install programs on these machines
  5. CNRG can shut down a system without warning, in cases of emergency such as a chilled water outage
  6. Operating system patches will take place during scheduled time during the regular workday
  7. Systems are required to remain up to date in order for vulnerabilities to be patched, encryption to remain at standards, and operating systems supported.

Contract[edit]

Once the CNRG and the primary end user come to an agreement on the services provided and the compensation paid, a Service Level Agreement (SLA) will be constructed that contains all the support CNRG has agreed to provide as well as the compensation the end user has agreed to pay. It is mandatory that this SLA then be signed by the primary user(s) of the system, the director of CNRG, and the Associate Director of the IGB.