In the hallowed halls of higher education institutions, the once bulky and cavernous data centres that powered the information infrastructure within universities are being reimagined and reshaped.
Why HPC-ready data centres are a game-changer for the higher education sector
Posted on in Blog
It's all change...
HPC needs in higher education
Higher education, with its vast research projects and repositories of personal and academic data, has always relied heavily on robust IT infrastructure. This infrastructure, often maintained and operated by on-campus IT departments, becomes quickly outdated as technology continues to evolve at a breakneck pace.
The rise in the need for high-performance computing (HPC) as a tool for research and innovation in the higher education sector – technology that facilitates everything from complex simulations and data analysis to machine learning and artificial intelligence – means that many higher education institutions find themselves grappling with the challenge of providing the necessary infrastructure to support it.
Understanding the world of HE data centres
Higher education institutions face several significant challenges when it comes to managing their data centres effectively:
- Ensuring the security and privacy of sensitive data, such as student records and research findings, in an increasingly complex threat landscape.
- Keeping pace with the rapidly growing demand for computing resources and storage capacity while working within tight budgetary constraints.
- Maintaining high levels of reliability and availability to support mission-critical operations, often with limited IT staff.
The evolution of colocation services for the HE sector
HPC-ready colocation data centres grant universities access to high-quality data centre infrastructure without the astronomical costs of maintenance and operation. By partnering with off-premise data centres, universities can access state-of-the-art HPC infrastructure without the need for significant upfront investment or in-house expertise.
Cost-efficiency
By sharing costs with other tenants at a colocation facility, universities can significantly reduce their capital expenditure and only pay for the resources they use, which is a vital factor, especially for institutions often operating on tight budgets.
Scalability and flexibility
Colocation facilities offer the ability to easily scale up or down as computing needs change, ensuring that universities can keep pace with the often unpredictable demands of education and research.
Enhanced reliability and security
The provision of significant redundancy and robust security measures means that colocation services can often provide a more reliable and secure environment for data storage and processing than many universities could afford to implement on their own.
Access to specialised expertise
We have relationships with external providers of diverse managed services, giving universities access to a suite of expert skills without needing to expand their in-house teams. (See Datum Connect.)
The road ahead for data centres in HE
Data centres are the unseen enablers supporting the mammoth task of knowledge creation and dissemination within HE. As higher education institutions evolve, innovate and grow, colocation offers a unique opportunity to leverage the benefits of modern infrastructure without forfeiting the crucial components of control and security that are integral to academic integrity. This is a compelling solution, enabling universities to access state-of-the-art HPC infrastructure without the need for significant upfront investment or in-house expertise, whilst affording universities the opportunity to overcome the challenges of cost, complexity, scalability, and reliability, and focus on what they do best.
How can we help?
Looking for state-of-the-art HPC-ready data centre infrastructure without the need for significant upfront investment or in-house expertise?
Talk to us today about your data centre requirements!