JSCS Technical Workshops - Services
For review and discussion of the proposed JSCS Services
Universal Services
There are some services which will be available to all, which in some cases may be pre-subscribed for
all staff, and are therefore relevant to all five technical workshops. Those are;
User Accounts
All staff will get a JSCS Directory User Account which will enable access to JSCS systems including the
network, managed computers and online services. This would sit alongside the (UIS provided) Raven
account which enables access to University systems.
Network Connection
All staff will have access either to a wired or wireless network connection (local conditions allowing)
which they will access using either their JSCS user account or Raven.
Computer Support
All staff will get technical support for one or more nominated computers (whether desktop PC, laptop,
notebook or tablet, and running Windows, Mac or Linux). In addition, several options will be available for
more specialist support (e.g. support for attaching microscopes, scanners, imaging equipment etc.)
Procurement
All staff will be able to contact JSCS for assistance in procuring IT hardware (including computers,
workstations, laptops, tablets, phones, servers, printers, scanners, projectors and peripherals) and
software (including desktop and server software, business applications, building and facilities
management etc.)
Where there is a specific facet of these services which is particularly relevant to the workshop
topic it is listed in order to highlight the areas which would benefit from discussion.
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Admin, Finance and Teaching
User Accounts
Requesting, changing or cancelling user accounts for your department manually. Setting up user
account creating automatically from University system data feeds (e.g. CHRIS, CamSIS). Creating user
accounts for visitors for wireless access.
Building and Facilities Management System Support
Support for building and facilities management systems such as card access, building management and
CCTV, including the liaison with the system supplier to fix problems outside the remit of JSCS.
Software and Hardware Asset Management and Reporting
A web based interface which provides department administrators and other authorised staff with
information about the PCs, laptops and printers on the network, and any software installed on those
systems.
Online room and equipment booking
A centralised system for the booking of meeting and committee rooms, lecture theatres, laboratory and
audio-visual equipment.
AV and meeting room support
Setup, maintenance and support for audio-visual systems (projectors, speakers, microphones, recording
and streaming systems etc.) used in seminar rooms, lecture theatres, meeting and committee rooms.
Student Clusters
Provision and support of computer rooms for student use, either based on UIS Managed Clusters or
locally provisioned systems.
Virtual Learning Environment
Design, maintenance and support of Moodle based virtual learning environments, whether hosted by UIS
or JSCS
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Scientific Computing
Instrument Connected Computer Support
One of the options under the Computer Support Service, a ‘light touch’ service supporting PC's attached
to lab equipment. The service would provide a minimal amount of care / changes so as not to disrupt the
equipment or its usage, i.e. anti-virus, networking and remote or onsite support and appropriate
operating system patches on a case by case basis.
UIS HPCS
For established computational analysis jobs requiring significant resources (processor, memory or
storage) the UIS HPC Service would be the most effective option.
JSCS HPCS
For development and testing of jobs before scale out to the UIS HPCS, or live operation of smaller
analysis workloads or workloads which otherwise cannot be run on the UIS HPCS. This service will be
aligned with the higher capacity UIS equivalent to allow a smooth transition from development to live.
Managed Server
Installation, maintenance and support for Windows and Linux servers providing scientific computing
services other than HPC, including (but not limited to) databases, web servers, hosted applications,
collaboration and sharing.
Unmanaged Server
Installation and hosting for Windows and Linux servers providing scientific computing services as above,
but maintained and supported by the department or group who uses it.
Scientific Computing Support
The installation, management and support of Bioinformatics hardware and software. This includes but is
not limited to: large processor / RAM machines, high performance desktops and their associated
operating system and software, usually used in relation to statistical analysis. This service sits alongside
and complements the JSCS Computer Support, Managed Server and HPCS Services.
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Data Sharing and Storage
Personal Data Store
User home directory provided to every user with a JSCS Directory User Account, should be accessible
from all JSCS services and users hardware, this area will be fully backed up and mirrored offsite.
Group Data Store
Group shares provided to departments or smaller groups to allow easy access to shared data, this area
will be fully backed up and mirrored offsite.
Large Data Store
A storage platform that allows large storage of data but also takes into account the requirements for
Storage that's optimised for high performance computing and larger datasets. Access should be
provided to all users’ hardware using all supported protocols e.g. NFS/CIFS/ISCSI etc.
Archive Store
Long term storage at lower cost for data which is no longer in use but may still need to be retrieved for
open access purposes, or to satisfy grant funder conditions.
Secure Data Store
A storage platform that allows the storage of sensitive data including PID. This data should be stored
using the IGT Framework and ISO27001 policies and procedures to ensure the security of sensitive
research, in line with best practice guidance.
Secure File Transfer Service for Sensitive Data
A secure system to share sensitive data/PID with remote users inside and outside of the University.
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End User Computing
User Accounts
The JSCS Directory User Account (a universal service) will allow users to logon to Windows, Mac and
Linux systems wherever they have permission to do so. It can also be used to provide remote access
(via VPN, web based service or application) to JSCS systems. User Accounts can be provided to staff
(including Research staff) students, and visitors (for example for temporary access to seminar room or
lecture theatre systems).
Remote access service
The Network Connection Service will include remote access via SSH, VPN, Citrix and Remote Desktop,
with differing levels of security dependent upon the sensitivity of the data being accessed (e.g. single
factor authentication for normal data and two factor authentication where required for patient identifiable
data).
Computer Support
All staff can get technical support for one or more nominated computers (whether desktop PC, laptop,
notebook or tablet, and running Windows, Mac or Linux). In addition, several options are available for
more specialist support (e.g. support for attaching microscopes, scanners, imaging equipment etc.)
Procurement
Procurement (another universal service) should include configuration, delivery and installation of
purchased hardware where required. Software procurement (wherever possible) will be self-service
where users install software on demand and only need to enter a license key where appropriate.
Printer Support
Setup, configuration and maintenance for desktop printers, network/workgroup printers and multifunction printers. The level of service will differ dependent upon the printer, with improved functionality,
performance, capacity and security the larger the device.
Training
All JSCS services will be documented online with a how-to guide and an FAQ. In addition, training will
be made available either online or in classroom format, aimed at both novice and advanced users. For
software and University systems existing UIS training courses will be highlighted, and other free training
resources where available. There will also be a specific training package aimed at staff induction and
new student intakes to highlight appropriate services and make key information easily available.
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Online Services and Communication
Email
The JSCS User Account will include a groupware email account which will allow normal email
communication and meeting scheduling with any other JSCS user or JSCS managed resource. Includes
email list functionality (with membership delegated to specific users) and either email aliases or role
based mailboxes for multiple users to access.
Cloud Storage
All staff with a JSCS User Account will have access to a “drop box” style cloud service to store, sync,
search, and share files. The service will be compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux and mobile
devices including phones and tablets. Sharing files will be possible both with users in the JSCS directory
and those outside (within the University and beyond).
Website hosting
Provision of a website for all departments and groups using the current University style. All sites will be
hosted in a centrally managed and supported in a content management system (CMS).
Website Design/Development/Consultancy
Web design/development/consultancy to assist with design, advanced CMS configuration including
development of plugins, or provide additional functionally outside the CMS.
Intranet Servers
Provision of web based collaboration services to facilitate communication within a department or group
or between departments or groups and their external collaborators. Secure accessible outside the JSCS
network it will allow for granular access control for groups or individual users, and features to encourage
communication such as team and project spaces, search, discussion pages etc.
Database hosting
Provision of a database(s) that will be fully supported by a central management system, providing
support for a wide range of database technology’s e.g. MS SQL, MySQL, PostgreSQL etc. This will
include backup/restore and provide a fully user hands off service for those that need a database but
don’t know how to support the backend infrastructure.
Database Design/Development/Consultancy
Database design/development/consultancy for users that require a fully managed/unmanaged database
service. Users can choose the level of support they require based on their needs to level of technical
knowledge.
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