Research computing programs bring numerous benefits to institutions, serving as attractive selling points for potential faculty members and helping secure external funding for research projects. These programs play a vital role in the academic landscape, especially at larger institutions, where robust computing resources are expected.
According to Shah, research computing infrastructure must strike a delicate balance between intensity, involving complex algorithms and massive data sets, and frequency, encompassing both long-term projects and quick bursts of demand. Factors such as security, scalability, flexibility, and cost are crucial components of a successful research computing setup.
Why Bentley University Embraced Cloud-based Research Computing
Initially, Bentley University faced challenges with its on-premises research computing setup, which operated out of a single room housing multiple cores and GPU nodes. The infrastructure was costly to maintain, prompting university administration to seek a more efficient solution.
As the volume of data sets grew, particularly with the addition of healthcare data spanning millions of records, the move to the cloud became inevitable. This shift also addressed faculty preferences for a Windows environment over Linux, simplifying usage and reducing maintenance time.
Faculty Personas Influence Cloud Migration Costs
Prior to migrating research computing to the cloud, the team at Bentley University consulted with peer institutions to gather insights on managing computing environments, storage options, security measures, and training needs. They also evaluated various cloud vendors to determine the financial implications of the migration.
Developing faculty personas helped tailor the cloud migration strategy to meet the specific needs of end-users. By aligning project goals with faculty requirements, the team ensured a seamless transition and justified the investment in cloud computing to stakeholders.
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