Tip Sheets
Server Hosting: Which Server is Right for You?
Related Tip Sheet: Website Development & Hosting
NSIT offers a variety of physical server and virtual machine server hosting to the University community. This tip sheet provides information about NSIT's hosting options.
What We Offer
For most purposes, the shared virtual server environment is most appropriate. However, we do provide both virtual and physical server hosting.
Virtual Servers
What is Virtualization?
Virtualization allows a single piece of computer hardware to be partitioned into multiple servers such that each server has the appearance and capabilities of running on its own dedicated machine. Each virtual machine (VM) server can run its own operating system (Windows or Linux), is assigned its own hostname and may be independently administered, configured, and rebooted without impact on other VM servers.
NSIT offers several types of managed and supported virtual servers in order to meet a variety of the University community's needs. We offer:
- A shared virtual production environment
- A virtual testing and pre-production environment
- Virtual, non-shared production machines
We offer a number of server hosting options that we can match to your needs. Options include:
- System administration
- Storage
- Backups
- Hardware refreshes
There is a monthly fee for our virtual servers.
Physical Servers
If your application or requirements do not allow you to use a virtual server, we will also offer hosting for both managed and unmanaged physical servers starting in the fall of 2009.
Where to Go From Here
We will consult with you in order to determine a solution that best fits your needs. We evaluate each request individually to ensure that we are providing you with the appropriate platform. In order to do this, we will ask you to provide the requirements for your application. Contact the Support Line at support@uchicago.edu to arrange a pre-consultation to fully ascertain your needs. After you consult with NSIT, you can use our order form.
Other Related Options
VMware
VMware is an option for groups that wish to run their own servers, without administration from NSIT. NSIT has negotiated an Enterprise License Agreement with VMWare and Dell to allow University departments to license the VMWare virtualization software components at a greatly reduced cost. For more information, visit http://nsit.uchicago.edu/vmware/.
The VMware license agreement does not include support from NSIT. You must install, configure, and monitor the software yourself, or you can contact VMWare for support at http://www.vmware.com/support.
For additional assistance, please visit the Support site or call 4-TECH
View a printable PDF of this Tip Sheet.
Last updated: 9/3/09