CSB Computing Core Facilities

CSB Research Computing Support Services

Linux system support includes networking and software support for workstations, printers, and server-class systems. We can also offer services for Windows and Macintosh systems, where appropriate. The cost of service per system varies depending on system type, system function, and other factors that relate to the amount of support required to maintain the system.

All support services are provisioned by a self-service request tracking system that interfaces to your preferred email address. This service is located online at http://csb.vanderbilt.edu/rt2. For emergencies, we are available by phone at x2-5053 (322-5053 from off-campus). See http://csb.vanderbilt.edu/comp/phone.php for additional after-hours phone information.

Base support for Linux-based workstations

($35 per system, billed monthly – $420 per year)
• Operating system software support (including regular upgrades, but excluding license fees associated with the operating system software)
• Maintain network connectivity
• Maintain local printing services (requires base printer service described below)
• Maintain access to Structural Biology printer services (page charges not included)
• Implementation of system security measures
• Regular security patches
• 100GB of protected, enterprise-class storage on the VU research NAS
• Free access to the Structural Biology software repository
• Limited access to commercially licensed Tripos, CCG, Gaussian software

Enhanced support for Linux-based systems

($50 per system, billed monthly – $600 per year)
• Includes above “base support” for Linux-based workstations
• Adds priority response time to address service outages
• Adds support for limited backups of additional critical system data beyond the 100GB of included NAS storage
• Adds support for computers hooked to “mission-critical” devices (e.g. computer controllers for instrumentation)

Server-class support for Linux-based systems

($66.67 per system, billed monthly – $800 per year)
• Includes “enhanced support” for Linux-based systems
• Adds support for rack-mounted systems
• Adds support for systems with between three and eight processors.
• Adds support for high-availability networking protocols (ftp, http, NFS, etc)

Base support for Windows/Macintosh-based systems

($30 per system, billed monthly – $360 per year)
• Operating system software support (including performing regular upgrades, but excluding license fees associated with the operating system software)
• Application software installation and upgrades (excluding license fees) for up to four packages (e.g. Office, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat)
• Maintenance of network connectivity
• 100GB of protected, enterprise-class storage on the VU research NAS
• Maintenance of appropriate printing services

Base support for networked printers

($20.83 per printer, billed monthly – $250 per year)
• Printer installation/configuration
• Maintenance of network connectivity
• Maintenance of appropriate printing services on up to 10 systems
• Troubleshooting on print quality issues (cost of printer repairs not included)
Additional Services and Pricing
We offer additional custom services that are charged based on the quantity of the particular service or consumable that is provided

Enterprise-Class Storage for Research Data

($37.5 per Terabyte, per month – $450 per year)
• For additional storage beyond the included 100GB per workstation
• Professionally managed, 24×7 support from VUIT and ACCRE
• Value-added support provided by CSB staff so that your storage interfaces seamlessly with our other services, at no additional cost – file migration, NFS/CIFS share management, user/group management, quota management, troubleshooting, etc.
• We also work with ACCRE to ensure you have a seamless interface to your data from ACCRE resources

Data Archiving

• Offline storage of data
• CDROM, DVDROM, or Tape media are available
• See attached pricing sheet for details
LTO-5 Ultrium tape archives
• 1.5 TB capacity: ~$50 per tape (self-serve data archival)
• 1.5 TB capacity: $150 per tape (Including archival service)
DVD-R archives
• 4.7 GB capacity, self-serve data archival: $1 per DVD
• 4.7 GB capacity, including archival service: $15 per DVD
• 9.4 GB capacity (dual-layer), self-serve archival: $2 per DVD
• 9.4 GB capacity (dual-layer), including archival service: $20 per DVD

Hourly Rate for Other Services

Other services not described above will be billed at our hourly rate of $60.