Infrastructure projects
These high value projects are typically about infrastructure and complex applications and tools to promote the eResearch capability of La Trobe University.
| Project title | Project Description | Expected finish date (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| Agribio shared research storage & collaboration | This project covers the development of storage which is approximately 20TB with associated servers to run SharePoint. SharePoint will provide the framework for sharing documents, files, calendars, workflows and discussion lists. | December 2012 |
| Application server for Galaxy | ICT to purchase, install and configure server for Galaxy application. | December 2012 |
| Application Servers for Research Database Service | This project addresses an inefficiency in the current research infrastructure in that there are no research-specific database servers, leading to a proliferation of independent instances of (for example) Access and Filemaker Pro-based applications. It will also allow consolidation of Library and eResearch repositories and databases. By provisioning powerful central research servers, we enable these applications, and any new ones, to be migrated to and consolidated in one well-maintained database service. This will form part of a new “Research Cloud” service from ICT. |
March 2013 |
| HPC Cluster | VPAC to purchase and install an HPC cluster in the AgriBio building on behalf of La Trobe. The funds for this will be provided to them in 2011 but the actual purchase and install by VPAC will not happen until approx May 2012. | December 2012 |
| Information to Support the Research Lifecycle | To find out more information about what researchers are having trouble with in regard to accessing information in relation to ICT, Research Services, eResearch and the Library. | December 2012 |
| Moab Upgrade | VPAC to purchase, install and configure MOAB on new HPC cluster . | December 2012 |
| Research Storage – Archiving/Metadata phase II | Investigation into long-term storage of files, including archiving. This will grow disk to the cabinet’s maximum and future growth will require a new cabinet, at which time tape will also be considered (>2012). Providing this space as a tier 3 storage space increases efficiency in the provision of the service, reduces costs to the University and provides options for the research population. | December 2013 |
| Remote Data Collection | La Trobe needs to increase its capability in automated data collection. Wodonga’s Environmental Management & Ecology and MDFRC groups routinely collect data in the field using manual techniques, and this technology upgrade will serve as a pilot and guide for other projects to do the same. | December 2012 |
| RIC v2 Developments | Further develop the RIC v2 virtual research environment to allow access to electronic resources, data sets, work files, shared documents, external users and library repositories. | December 2012 |
| Visualisation Laboratories Phase II |
Stage 1 - Further development of Visualisation Laboratory in PS1 to include a visualisation wall and multiscreen remote instrument capability. Stage 2 - Design development of Life Science Visualisation capability. |
March 2013 |
| Project title |
|---|
| MDID Upgrade |
| Project title | Project Description |
|---|---|
| e-Research Data Storage System Phase I | Provide e-research projects with dedicated storage infrastructure designed to meet intermediate performance and capacity objectives - Provide an immediate solution to several departmental research-based storage problems (eg: proposed synchrotron usage) - Provide a separation between administrative and research systems - Provide a means of backup/archive of research data from a centralised system - Provide a basis to allow for future classification of research data and to enable effective searching and retrieval of this data |
| iPads for research in Education | In conjunction with the Faculty of Education a series of projects in the Education space were used to determine the effectiveness of iPads in varying situations outside of the campus environment. |
| RDS firmware/software upgrades 2012 | New firmware and software installed on the Research Data Store, providing researchers with the capability to version files, restore their own backups and allow long-term files to be archived to tape. |
| Research Storage Phase II | Research Data Store increased to approx 250 TB . |
| Research Storage Phase III | Expansion of dedicated storage infrastructure to researchers with a further 250TB of usable space. |
| Research Storage Phase IV |
Phase IV provided regional campuses with dedicated storage infrastructure designed to meet intermediate performance and capacity needs. This project also began the process for archiving and metadata implementation to allow for long-term storage. |
| RIC v2 PIlot | This project developed an environment based on SharePoint 2010 using the Micrsoft RIC v2 framework, and piloted the tool amongst a small group of defined users. Once the pilot phase has seemed fit for purpose a production system, suitable for general rollout, will be developed. |
| High Performance Computer Software 2009/2010 | Implement research analytical applications for research cluster and other research computing. |
| High Performance Computer Enhancements | The purchase and installation of specific research analytical applications for the high perfomance computing cluster. |
| High Performance Computing Hardware | Enter into partnership with VPAC to provide HPC for La Trobe. The HPC equipment has been purchased through VPAC and installed at VPAC in the first instance. The agreement for this partnership has been drafted and will be executed separately |
| Research Collaboration Tools and Training | The development of a virtual research environment to allow access to electronic resources, data sets, workfiles, shared documents and library repositories. |
| Communication Tools HD V/C | Purchase of AV hardware for Life Sciences visualisation lab,VLSCI & virtual lab. |
| Visualisation Laboratories |
A facility made up of: This exciting new space in PS1 allows for the remote use of scientific instruments and imaging of scientific data. La Trobe now has the capability for interactive and immersive research collaboration, visualisation of simulations and deep imaging. This visualisation lab will also act as a remote training laboratory and a classroom for teaching instrument-centric science and exposing students to the laboratory experience. |
| AAF Implementation |
The Australian Access Federation is a DIISR funded initiative to federate the individual university and CSIRO directory authentication systems so that individuals can authenticate using their home username/password anywhere in the AAF network. Authorisation is provided by the remote site based on parameters supplied to the AAF from each home institution.The federation system is called shibboleth and is typically applied to web services. For La Trobe staff and students to log in remotely at another institution to access network services and for AAF members to log in at La Trobe to do the same we must be part of the AAF network.
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| Archaeological Database Development (funded by an ANDS grant) | This project built the platform for a national database of historical archaeological collections, excavated sites and the people connected to those objects and places. |
| CMSS RLI Metadata Capture & Publication (funded by an ANDS grant) | This project leveraged the existing ANDS services to support Australian researchers' use of instrumentation at the La Trobe Centre for Materials and Surface Science facility (CMSS). |
| Research Software 2011 | Purchase and implementation of research software applications, including; ArcGIS, NBO and CLC Genomics workbench. |
