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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 >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- Leo Sell IT Services Technology& Network Support (formerly ATS Help Desk) help.msu.edu tech.msu.edu 517-432-6200