Basic Research IT Infrastructure Support Needs

• Network
  • Stability, especially e-mail servers
  • Wireless internet access throughout VUMC
  • Cellular access via T-Mobile to e-mail via MS Exchange
  • In long term move away from Microsoft servers to open source Linux servers for security, stability, and speed
  • Simple availability of departmental data on shared folders from anywhere in the world via a web browser
• Data
  • Adequate immediate shared data storage
  • Accessible storage of older data in near term
  • Long-term off-site archival storage
  • Provide economical automatic off-site backup with rotation cycle
  • Develop and support a secure open-source web-oriented research database system that is accessible from anywhere and for which users can easily specify field descriptions and quality checks that automatically generate web forms and SQL table structures
• Systems and Programming Support
  • Fairly priced systems administration and user support for those divisions and departments not hiring their own systems administrator or user support personnel
  • Fairly priced server adminstration for departments wishing to have their own Linux or Microsoft server but not wanting to hire a server administrator
  • Quality web site support available to all departments
  • Fee-based support and customized programming for small and large department-initiated projects
  • In long term become more independent of Microsoft by encouraging users to use Linux desktop and server machines
  • In short term support Linux users and negotiate discounts for hardware preconfigured with Linux
• Administrative Computing
  • Insure that high priority and adequate funding are given to development of grant tracking, personnel effort tracking, and other research grant administrative tasks
• Other
  • Videoconference capabilities