Cloud Computing

The Cloud Computing Service provides access to, and management of, a range of cloud computing technologies, including but not limited to: virtual servers, data storage, serverless application hosting, and container orchestration. The service provides a range of options, including on-premise and vendor-hosted solutions, as well as WashU IT- and customer-managed solutions.

Outcomes

  • Constrain on-premise data-center growth to avoid significant future capital expenses
  • Empower advanced research through rapidly scalable cloud computing and storage resources
  • Improve teaching, research, and patient care by providing access to, and support for, cutting-edge technologies available on cloud platforms
  • Maintain high uptime and availability for WashU computing and storage resources

Requirements & Considerations

  • Customers must be a current employee of Washington University in St. Louis
  • Customers must provide a funding source (FIS Charge number, PO Number, etc.) when requesting services

Features & Options

Available Options
  • Virtual Servers – Hosting of virtual servers, management of server OS and underlying infrastructure
    • Location options:
      • On-Premise
      • Off-Premise (Azure)
    • DR (disaster recovery) options:
      • Option 1: RTO 4 hours, RPO 15 minutes
      • Option 2: RTO 48 hours, RPO 30 minutes
      • Option 3: RTO 45 days, RPO 24 hours
      • Opt out: Best effort
    • Backup options:
      • Option 1: Daily backups for 90 days, monthly backups for 18 months
      • Option 2: Daily backups for 60 days, monthly backups for 6 months
      • Option 3: Daily backups for 30 days, monthly backups for 1 month
      • Opt out: No backups
      • Extra-regional backups: Can be added to options 1, 2, or 3
    • Patch options:
      • Patch Window 0: Second Tuesday of Month, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
      • Patch Window 1: First Sunday following Second Tuesday of Month, 12:01 a.m. – 4:00 a.m.
      • Patch Window 2: Second Sunday following Second Tuesday of Month, 12:01 a.m. – 4:00 a.m.
  • Storage – Enterprise grade data storage management supporting file storage, VM storage, blob storage, and more.
    • Location options:
      • On-Premise
      • Off-Premise (Azure)
    • Replication options:
      • Option 1: Storage replicated to redundant site every 15 minutes
      • Option 2: Storage replicated to redundant site every 24 hours
      • Opt out: No storage replication
    • Speed options:
      • Standard HDD (spinning disk with flash cache): 50-100MB per sec to read and write
      • Premier SSD (solid state disk): up to 500MB per sec to read and write (coming soon)
  • Cloud Account Management – Access to Public Cloud Platforms via University-negotiated, policy-compliant contracts
  • Serverless application hosting (coming soon)
  • Container orchestration (coming soon)
  • Cloud consulting services (coming soon)
Included Features
  • Virtual Servers:
    • OS and Patch Management of Windows and RHEL servers
    • Remote console access (RDP, SSH)
    • Local administrative privileges
    • Controlled Access via Multiple Network Options
    • High Availability – Infrastructure
    • Virtual Machine (VM) Image Backup
    • Server Disaster Recovery
  • Storage:
    • Optional replication to second data center location
  • Cloud Account Management:
    • University negotiated, policy compliant contracts with select public cloud vendors
    • Account Management
    • University Billing
    • Access to cloud consoles via WUSTL Key login
    • HIPAA BAA (select vendors)
    • Service Discounts

Service Level Expectations (SLE)

Cloud Computing Service Request SLEs:

Service Request
Fulfillment Target
New Virtual Server 3 business days
Virtual Server size adjustments 3 business days
New storage allocation 3 business days
New Azure subscription 3 business days
New AWS accounts 5 business days
New GCP Project 3 business days

Cloud Computing Support Request SLEs:

Priority
Description
Response Target
Resolution Target
Critical Global Issues Business critical issues – impacting ability to perform mission Issues affecting multiple users unable to be productive 15 minutes 4 hours
High Issues affecting individual or multiple users with no workaround available 1 hour 1 business day
Medium Default priority assigned to all tickets. Issues affecting multiple users with workaround available. 1 business day 3 business days
Low Issues affecting individual users with workaround available 2 business days 5 business days

The Cloud Computing Service follows the Infrastructure Hosting bundle of SLEs (PDF).

Training and How-To

Rates (PDF)
Request this Service