On-campus cloud enables improved operational efficiency and convenience

Tokyo, Jan 10, 2013 - (JCN Newswire) - Fujitsu and Kyoto University today announced that they have worked together to virtualize 128 servers and build an on-campus private cloud system aimed at strengthening business continuity plan (BCP) capabilities for the university's all-purpose server system and optimization of ICT investments. The new system began operations on December 28, 2012. In addition, the university plans to proceed with the construction and operation of a BCP site for the new system using Fujitsu's datacenter in eastern Japan.

As a result of this project, it will be possible to maintain availability of key services on the university's homepage and other servers even during natural disasters or blackouts in the Kansai region. Operated and administered by Kyoto University's Institute for Information Management and Communication and the Academic Center for Computing and Media Studies, the new cloud environment allows over 400 virtual servers to be operated, thereby enabling the consolidation of general-purpose servers that have until now been independently operated throughout the campus. This will help to streamline server operations and management while delivering increased convenience to faculty and researchers.

In leveraging the new system environment, Kyoto University plans to further optimize its ICT investments and cultivate an even more cutting-edge and supportive environment for nurturing human resources and promoting research and development.

Background to the Deployment

After undergoing partial privatization in 2004, national universities in Japan have had to adjust to a host of new organizational and environmental changes, including a need to communicate research results and educational curriculum to audiences both within and outside of the universities. Moreover, in both academic and research settings, it has become essential to be able to transmit a wide range of large-capacity content across networks.

With these trends gaining traction, Kyoto University established the Institute for Information Management and Communication in 2005 in order to facilitate the planning, development, management and operation of the university-wide IT infrastructure, provide a variety of user services related to the IT infrastructure, develop and provide an advanced and secure information environment, and develop personnel capable of advanced use of information and information technologies. The Institute is comprised of the Academic Center for Computing and Media Studies, which is engaged in activities related to research, development and educational support, and which has explored ways to ensure the stability of its information communications and seamless content transmissions.

During this process, the university looked to augment the number of servers and the processing / storage capacity of the all-purpose server system employed for websites and repositories of academic information, as well as for the sharing of content between laboratories. The aim was to build an ICT environment that is equipped to handle natural disasters and power shortages. In developing an ICT environment, the university also faced the important challenges of optimizing its ICT investments and streamlining administrative workloads.

Features and Results of the New System

1. Server virtualization and consolidation

The private cloud environment consists of a total of 128 Fujitsu PRIMERGY CX400 S1 and PRIMERGY CX250 S1 multi-node servers, which feature exceptional energy efficiency and a compact footprint, making it possible to run over 400 virtual servers. Using the new private cloud environment, Kyoto University plans to virtually consolidate servers across the campus as part of an effort to further increase the efficiency of campus-wide server management and reduce power consumption.

2. Ensures operational continuity of critical servers

By sharing duplicate versions of essential data from some of the virtual servers between Kyoto University and a BCP site, it is possible to switch operations to a backup server hosted at Fujitsu's datacenter during emergencies. This, in turn, will enable continued operations of critical servers that provide various services on the university's homepage, even during natural disasters or blackouts on campus.

3. Campus-wide faculty e-mail system now available 24/7

Previously, access to the faculty e-mail system was impacted by the working hours of IT administrators and statutory inspections. By building the e-mail system using Fujitsu's datacenter and outsourcing its operations, it will now be available to faculty 24/7.

4. Automatically backs up critical data

Fujitsu ETERNUS NR1000F series storage systems have been installed in both the on-campus private cloud environment and the BCP site. Using the storage system's SnapMirror functionality, new data is periodically transferred between the on-campus system and the BCP site, allowing critical data to be automatically and remotely backed up.

5. Employs Fujitsu datacenter

The system uses a Fujitsu datacenter that is located in an area of eastern Japan where the risk of damage from natural disasters is low. The datacenter is equipped with the latest disaster mitigation measures to deliver safety, reliability, and efficiency, as well as 24/7 system operations. This has resulted in superior reliability, security, and availability for the campus-wide faculty email system and BCP site, while also optimizing ICT resources.

6. Uses the SINET4 academic information network

The system uses the SINET4 Science Information Network* for communications between Kyoto University and the Fujitsu datacenter, resulting in a network that is more reliable and easier to use, while making effective use of ICT resources.

* SINET4 Science Information Network:
An information and communication network connecting universities and research institutions throughout Japan constructed and operated by the National Institute of Informatics.

About Fujitsu Limited

Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company offering a full range of technology products, solutions and services. Over 170,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.5 trillion yen (US$54 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. For more information, please see www.fujitsu.com.



Source: Fujitsu Limited

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