The list below outlines our main areas of work, but this is a fast-moving area and we are continuously adapting to the rapidly evolving needs of our Institute’s research.
| Service Area | Details |
|---|---|
| High Performance Computing | Linux HPC clusters, SGI UV large memory systems, co-processors (Tesla, Xeon Phi) HPC systems managment. HPC cluster design, configuration and development Support for end users. Software installation, configuration and tuning. Developing and managing the HPC environment. |
| Service Management and development | Infrastructure monitoring and reporting Strategic IT capacity planning IT capital procurement |
| Enterprise Data Storage | Petabyte scale storage systems for high throughput and high performance workflows. |
| Server hosting | Physical and virtual server hosting |
| Data Centre management | Hardware installation and maintenance. Data centre design and configuration. |
| Web platforms | Webservers, CMS, Wiki etc. Installation and hosting. |
| Analytical platforms | Installation and maintenance of common software platforms |
| Data transfer mechanisms | Provision and support for software-based bulk data transfer/acceleration mechanisms. Internal and external data transfer. |
| Training and documentation | Regular "Introduction to HPC" workshops. Beskpoke workshops/seminars on HPC/IT subjects Maintain and develop HPC documenation (wiki) |
| End user support | Scientific Computing Helpdesk. Support via telephone, email or in person is free at the point of use for all staff at the Norwich Bioscience Institutes 3rd line support for Linux and OSX desktop |
| External communication | We maintain active links with technical peers at other research organisations, major IT vendors/suppliers, relevant open source software communities and we are active in relevant UK/European/Internaional meetings and forums. |
| Funding application support | We provide system design and costing support for IT aspects of research grant applications. We work closely with the Principle Investigator (PI) of a project to provide detailed costs estimates to reflect the requirements of the project. |
| Hardware and Software procurement | From a £50 item of software to multi £million HPC and storage systems, we carry out the design and procurement of new hardware and software systems. Working with the NBIP Purchasing team, we run procurements using existing frameworks where possible, ensuring value for money and compliance with EU procurement law. |