http://tech.msu.edu/colocation/pricing.php
On 3/26/12 1:56 PM, Kim Geiger wrote:
> Thank you for your reflections, Troy. What about pricing? The last time I checked it out, ATS had sort of priced itself out of the market; my boss just laughed and shook his head. But perhaps that has been rethought.
>
> Kim Geiger
> Broadcasting/College of Communication Arts& Sciences
>
>>>> On 3/26/2012 at 9:55 AM, Troy D Murray<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> Al,
>>
>> I'm not using the co-location services of AIS, I mean IT Services, but I'm
>> using the self-hosted virtualization offering. I would imagine that you work
>> through a similar process with using both service offerings, although in the
>> end you're moving physical hardware instead of moving or creating virtual
>> hardware like I did.
>>
>> Initially I wanted to know how using their virtualization servers and
>> network would work and perform. I contacted the department and was able to
>> have a short meeting with them to discuss this. The next day Ed Z created a
>> virtual server so I could test things out. I used that for some testing over
>> a month or so while I made sure that this was the direction I wanted to go.
>>
>> Next, I contacted IT Services to discuss moving my systems over. They
>> arranged a meeting with people from the networking, network security,
>> virtualization, backup teams/groups and a few others. I explained to them
>> what I need (servers, network, firewalls, configuration, etc), they asked
>> questions, we had a discussion, we made some decisions, and I walked out with
>> a timeline of when I could start.
>>
>> To answer your specific questions, our network performance has been very
>> good. Our web applications are running faster on their virtual hardware then
>> the physical hardware we had locally in the labs. The network team carved
>> out some IP address that are public facing, but also a few other "private"
>> addresses for using their backup services or just my server to my server
>> communication. They made use of the virtual switch and some VLAN's to tag my
>> traffic as well, and we were able to use two virtual firewalls.
>>
>> To be honest, at first it was somewhat intimidating to me to work with the
>> network security guys. Their technical knowledge in this area exceeds my
>> own. However we were able to accomplish what we needed and have a working
>> solution. I had to remind myself a few times that their questions weren't
>> meant to be intrusive or questioning my technical knowledge or even the
>> validity of the needs, but trying to ascertain what they needed to accomplish
>> in their work so that I had what I needed. Truth be told, afterward I felt
>> this was beneficial as it helped me to reaffirm the decisions and final
>> design of things.
>>
>> Finally, I was a little nervous about moving my servers over as I felt like
>> I was "giving up" a measure of control and a little "job security" by doing
>> so. However I knew trying to re-create what they already had in place wasn't
>> economically feasible nor could I have access to it as quickly. In the end,
>> I find I have more time to work on other projects that I find more
>> interesting then having to manage hardware and networking.
>>
>> Maybe this helps answer some of your questions. If not, the delete button
>> is right there. :)
>>
>> Troy Murray
>> Michigan State University
>> College of Medicine
>> Life Science
>> 1355 Bogue St, B-136D
>> East Lansing, MI 48824
>> E: [log in to unmask]
>> P: 517-432-2760
>> F: 517-355-7254
>> RedHat 5 Certified Technician
>> RedHat 5 Certified Systems Administrator
>> HL7 V2.6/2.5 Certified Control Specialist
>>
>>
>>
>> On Mar 26, 2012, at 8:30 AM, Al Puzzuoli wrote:
>>
>>> I am curious as to experiences folks have had using this service. How is the
>> network performance? What happens in terms of network / firewall
>> configuration? Is that managed by AIS as well? Also, I assume We could put
>> the bulk of our servers at AIS, but also maintain a NAS and backup PC to run
>> virtual machines from our office In case of AIS downtime?
>>> Are there any aspects of the service you have found inconvenient or
>> limiting?
>>> Thanks for any info,
>>>
>>> Al Puzzuoli
>>> Michigan State University
>>> Information Technologist
>> http://www.rcpd.msu.edu
>>> Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities 517-884-1915 120 Bessey Hall
>> East Lansing, MI 48824-1033
>>>
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--
Leo Sell
IT Services
Technology& Network Support (formerly ATS Help Desk)
help.msu.edu
tech.msu.edu
517-432-6200
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