ICT assists with the provisioning, installation and ongoing support of technology infrastructure required for research purposes. This includes networking infrastructure, server hosting and management, application acquisition and hosting, as well as data management services.

This includes:

• Hardware provisioning, hosting, administration and management - ICT provides researchers with the necessary physical and virtual server management including relevant operating systems, versions and upgrades for equipment housed in the central University Data Centre. If you choose to relocate your research servers to the central University Data Centre, they will be managed in a secure, air- conditioned environment with backup power provision. ICT can provide operating system administration (including upgrades, patching, versioning and imaging) for server equipment located outside the University Data Centre. We can also assist with the acquisition of hardware, network and power services and, if required, installation and set up in the University Data Centre, networking and setup of direct connections, connection to disk storage and backups, and 24/7 monitoring for major failures.
• Software - ICT hosts applications required for research projects. The service includes patching and upgrades
• Research Data Store - ICT facilitates storage that is consistent with research computing needs, including the provision of environments that facilitate research data archiving. ICT can provide routine backup and selection between high-speed fibre channels and standard commodity storage. You can request space dedicated for your research and use it to store, access and re-use records of observations, images, survey results, simulation or modelling data for current and future projects.
• External provider management - ICT manages research equipment and software vendor relationships and the support provided by external vendors where required.

What should I expect?

Is there a charge for this service?

ICT is able to provide assistance with the provisioning, installation and ongoing support and maintenance to infrastructure required for research purposes. This includes networking infrastructure, server hosting and management, application acquisition and hosting, as well as data management services. ICT is able to provide research data storage, and negotiate with external providers for good prices for additional storage for research purposes. ICT will manage these external providers.

ICT must charge the researcher or research team for hardware and software purchased on their behalf, as well as the installation and set up of the systems. Ongoing management of the hardware is carried out by ICT at no charge.

How do I request this service?

Enquiries regarding new services, advice with plans and designs, and escalation of problems should be directed to your Faculty IT Manager.

How do I get more information?

For more information visit the Ask Sydney - ICT website.

ICT supports researchers in their use of ICT facilities by enhancing user knowledge through training sessions and resolving research infrastructure faults or issues. ICT also provides ongoing management and maintenance services for research servers, desktop and laptop computers, mobile and peripheral equipment and software.

This includes:

• Hardware support - ICT assists with the selection and procurement of hardware, including servers and lab and office equipment. We also assist with the resolution of faults and problems related to the use of research equipment.
• Configuration - ICT provides network, hardware and software configuration services to integrate research technologies into an operational system where possible.
• Software - Upon request ICT will provide, or assist in the procurement of software for researchers. Staff are available to assist with vendor management and can provide information about how to take advantage of bulk or academic discounts for software packages, or access to specialist libraries and repositories. ICT can arrange for the development or provision of necessary software tools as requested by researchers. The software may include the development of scripts and other programs.
• Training - ICT can arrange training sessions on behalf of researchers wishing to learn more about specific technologies. The technologies may include HPC topics, web resource management, repository management and use of specific software packages. We will facilitate or present these sessions if suitable specialists are available within the University.

What should I expect?

How do I request this service?

Enquiries regarding new services, advice with plans and designs, and escalation of problems should be directed to your Faculty IT Manager. A list of the Faculty IT Managers and their areas of responsibility can be found at sydney.edu.au/ict/contact/it-managers.shtml.

How do I get more information?

For more information visit the Ask Sydney - ICT website.

ICT provides consultation and advice to researchers who need help accessing and using technologies in their research activities. Together with Faculty IT Managers, the eResearch team will facilitate meetings with you to determine the appropriate technology solutions to meet your research needs. ICT can also facilitate the engagement of external consultants where required.

• Design - ICT will assist in the design of technology solutions to facilitate research projects and make suggestions on the most effective way to use information and communication technologies. ICT is able to assist in the design of technological solutions, and provide assistance in the procurement of these technologies. ICT Business Analysts are available to assist you in developing business cases, plans, and roadmaps for research projects and developments. We are also available to assist in the design and development of research-related surveys, setting up community forums and mailing lists for research communities, and assistance with other general design queries.
• High Performance Computing - ICT will consult researchers to determine any high performance computing requirements researcher teams, including the use of cluster facilities. ICT can broker the required services from external facilities including National Computational Infrastructure (NCI) and Intersect.
• Research Data Store - ICT can assist researchers in the development, execution and supervision of plans, policies and practices that control, protect, deliver and enhance the value of their data.
• Training - ICT can arrange training sessions on behalf of researchers wishing to learn more about specific technologies. Training is available in High Performance Computing, web resource management, repository management and use of specific software packages. If available, training sessions will be conducted by ICT. We can also facilitate sessions for external courses.
• Grant application support - A number of grants are available for projects that apply advanced information and communication technologies to their practice of research. Projects that involve data management, online collaboration, and high-performance computing may be funded by grants available under the Australian National Data Service (ANDS), National eResearch Collaboration Tools and Research (NeCTAR) and Intersect Innovations schemes. The benefits of these grants include more efficient research, protection of data against loss, sharing of data for re-use in future research (respecting appropriate constraints and timing), wider collaborations, and eventual data citation.
• Project management - ICT provides tailored Project Managent services for local projects involving information and communication technologies. If appropriate, ICT will engage and oversee external Project Managers for specific research projects.

What should I expect?

How do I request this service?

Enquiries regarding new services, advice with plans and designs, and escalation of problems should be directed to your Faculty IT Manager. A list of the Faculty IT Managers and their areas of responsibility can be found at sydney.edu.au/ict/contact/it-managers.shtml.

How do I get more information?

For more information visit the Ask Sydney - ICT website.

FileMaker is a database and application development environment. ICT provides hosting and maintenance of existing FileMaker applications. Development of new web applications is only provided to researchers at the University. As such, researchers are able to choose FileMaker as a supporting technology in the performance of their research.

The service includes:

• Building and enhancing applications for use in research. Please note that this does not include research administration.
• Hosting of existing FileMaker applications.
• Fixing technical problems with both the hosting environment and the application.
• Hosting of database files, including patching the server on a regular basis and ensuring it runs during core business hours (9am until 7pm Monday to Friday).
• Analysis of unexpected behaviours and correction where possible.
• Communication with the users and relevant parties to inform them of any planned outages or patching of servers.

What should I expect?

How do I request this service?

To order this service, please contact your relevant IT Manager.

How do I get more information?

For more information about this service, please contact the ICT Helpdesk on (02) 9351 6000 (x16000).