February 2017

Roslin Research Computing Expansion

Not all the storage has been delivered due to external factors.

Way Forward ; Kenton and Kevin currently on a plan to take to Roslin by 17/3.

Intention is to put new PM Andy Todd on this to help drive it to second delivery and completion. 

Data Safe Haven Pathfinder

Data Safe Haven Service

1. The two strands (Technical, Procedural) are underway. 2. KPMG have been engaged (as 27.0.0.1/IGT auditors) to advise on gaps and requirements to eventually reach accreditation for the service. 3. We have engaged with KPMG to provide a high level conceptual design and a high level component design. 4. Work is proceeding on technical design and implementation documents. 5. As part of this work we have identified external dependencies for technical implementation (eg. Networks, AD, etc) and are looking to engage as early as possible to mitigate risks around this. 6. We have started discussions with our framework supplier over options to have them support procuring and implementing a technical design. 7. We are engaging closely and directly with the Procedural strand of the project to keep the two strands as aligned as possible (given the very tight time scale).

As you'll all be aware this is a very ambitious project on a very tight time scale and requires considerable focus and resource.

Stephen and Thomas are currently (and until July) mainly focussed on delivery of this project and it is also identified as my (and the team's) highest priority for delivery.

Research Data Services DR Overhaul

The short term DR work is underway (although somewhat interrupted by AFM/DataStore service stability work). We need to properly set up a project for the medium term work and clarify what needs done (ie. a design/definition workshop, soonest).

Just need further discussions with DELL to ensure delivery.

This project has started and there are some activities we can count under this. However, we do need to come up with a defined plan of activities and associated costs. There is clearly a lot we could do to improve our profile with researchers in the university and this is an opportunity to do so. There has been some delay in this project until we got out of the AFM issues but now is the time for us to get planning.

We need to plan what expansion/refresh is needed for DataStore. We may need to be very pragmatic about this and just expand capacity, unless there are some easily and clearly identifiable updates that are required. One instance maybe provision of additional presentation layer nodes for colleges and re-factoring to separate 'home directory', cluster/analytical and research instrument capture streams. Possibly provision of a buffer space for high data through-put instrument data capture (eg. CMVM sequencing, new EM, etc).

Steve Taylor struggling to find space for this, so Andy Todd to be assigned.

RCI Cloud and Data Science Services

Have started talking to suppliers. Have settled on what we want suppliers to provide. Jan and Steve working ahead of project. Andy Todd to be PM.

DataVault is aimed at providing an internal research data archive for UoE (to support requirements coming from funding bodies and general good practice). The project was initially working with a JISC project on a software management layer and there is an expectation of an initial service as soon as possible. We have been engaging with the library team leading the project since the beginning of the year (formally since beginning February) to understand what is required to reach an initial service soonest. There is an issue with the initial software in handling large scale data sets (ie. those in scientific research particularly) and we have been advising the project team on possible ways forward with this.

One option, still under discussion, is greater use of Storage Manager to allow an initial service to be reached.

The current solution uses DataStore as the vault location and it is likely that this will be the case for the initial service (to get it in place). However, going forward we will have to look at a lower cost archive solution (probably tape).

Backup Research infrastructure Upgrades

The short term DR work is underway (although somewhat interrupted by AFM/DataStore service stability work). We need to properly set up a project for the medium term work and clarify what needs done (ie. a design/definition workshop, soonest).

Roslin expansion 16-17

we just need to work with the colleges to meet there requirements and funding cycles. Largely driven by them.

Waiting for Roslin to confirm they have funding.

Andy Todd to be assigned as PM - this is a procurement exercise

IGMM expansions 16-17

we just need to work with the colleges to meet there requirements and funding cycles. Largely driven by them.

RCI (Eddie) major version updates

As per Datastore re-factor and refresh.  

DataStore Expansions

As per Datastore re-factor and refresh.

Research Services Administration and Automation Application

We have selected a PM consultant from the candidates, and I think they should be good at driving the project forward. Kenton and Kevin will be the product owners for the project: ie. guide the requirements, what is to be implemented and also evaluate for acceptance. Apps are looking at finding the required development effort.

Jon March has been recruited and developers from Apps have been assigned, and a contractor starts 3rd April, so we need to get foundation done by then.

We need to confirm the new estimate for budget with the project team and then discuss with Tony.