Service overview
IT Services offers an industry-standard tier 2 data centre to host computer equipment within a physically secure, climate-controlled and monitored environment. The data centre includes specialized fire suppression equipment. All electrical connections are protected by UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) and backup generator.
Service inclusions
12-month renewable lease that includes:
- Industry-standard 19" racks for equipment mounting
- Protected PDU (Power Distribution Unit) electrical power connections with UPS and generator feeds for:
- 208 VAC single phase
- 208 VAC 3-phase
- 120 VAC
- 2 x 10Gbps minimum network connectivity
- Remote access to server consoles via KVM (Keyboard-Video-Mouse) switch, if required
- The data centre facilities operate 24 x 7 x 365. Physical access to the data centre is via authorized controlled entry
Service exclusions
- System administration for any hosted equipment
- Hardware/software break/fix support
- Storage and disposal of hosted computer equipment once it has reached its EOSL (End of Service Life).
Note: Clients must remove all EOSL equipment from the data centre within 30 days of equipment shutdown, at their own expense.
Hosting and reuse requirements
- All hosted equipment must:
- Be industry standard 19” rack mountable
- Be functional upon delivery to the data centre. (There is no staging area for hardware reconfiguration.)
- Meet minimal operating system requirements and run a supported version with on-going security updates available.
- Have the most current IT protections applied to all hardware and software against data breaches, known exploits, and critical vulnerabilities
- Hosted equipment should have dual power and network feeds
- All hosted equipment should be covered under a manufacturer or third-party maintenance contract for break/fix.
- Clients should have a software and system administration support plan.
- System owners are expected to take immediate action and remedy any situation in which their equipment interferes with the normal operation of the data centre
- No equipment can be installed, moved, or removed from the data centre outside of regular University business hours.
- Equipment will be disconnected from the data centre if it:
- Is listed by the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) as EOSL (End of Service Life); or
- Has near-zero network traffic/bandwidth for a period of 90 days or more
- No peripheral attachments are permitted for hosting. This includes but is not limited to keyboards, mice, monitors, printers, and dongles.
Compliance to hosting and reuse requirements is assessed by the Data Centre Service Manager and approval of exceptions is under the responsibility of the IIS Director or the CIO.
Who can use it
McGill faculties, units departments, and affiliated research units
How to request & access the service
Please fill out the request form to Host a physical device in the ITS data centre.
Cost
Refer to Rates and prices for data products and service.
Availability
The data centre facilities operate 24 X 7 X 365. Equipment installation/removal must be done during regular University business hours.
Third-party entry for break/fix or equipment inspection and or setup on behalf of the equipment owner is permitted if:
- The owner of the equipment gives permission each time the third-party wants to access the equipment
- The third-party schedules an appointment in advance, and during regular business days/hours of operation.
- The reason for access is declared in-advance (e.g., coming to change xyz).
Third-party individuals will escorted into the data centre facilities and will not be given card access.
Frequently asked questions
None available.
Best practices & policies
None available.
Training & documentation
Not applicable.
Support
Contact the IT Service Desk