Data Center and Computer Lab Services

Carl McMillon, Director
(919) 660-7002 or carl.mcmillon@duke.edu

Data Center and Computer Lab Services manages and provides 24/7 operational support for academic and administrative systems in five data centers across three buildings throughout campus, including one tier-three facility. These systems support applications such as campus infrastructure (mail, Web hosting, authentication, DNS); classrooms (SISS, Blackboard); campus computing labs (ePrint, media tools, computing power); research cluster computing (DSCR); purchasing, payroll, general ledger accounting and human resources (SAP); student records and alumni/gift development. Data Center and Computer Lab Services operates with an emphasis on process and services, integrating service support across OIT, and works collaboratively with Duke Health Technology Solutions (DHTS) in support of the joint data center facilities.

Services

Data Center and Computer Lab Services supports and monitors a diverse array of computing, including the IBM Z10 and Z800 mainframes, Sun and IBM Unix servers, Dell Linux and Windows servers, the distributed Storage Array Network (SAN), a large tape robot and a 500+ node high performance computing cluster.

Responsibilities include:

  • Maintaining data center infrastructure (racking, cabling, power, cooling, etc.)
  • Facility event monitoring, management and response
  • Data center facilities management, including access control, cable management and documentation, maintenance planning and communication
  • Data center capacity management and planning
  • Supporting distributed computing lab operations, including hardware and software troubleshooting and problem resolution
  • Maintaining ePrint functions and equipment on campus
  • Providing facility support for the Duke Shared Computing Resource (DSCR)
  • Printing and distribution of enterprise system output such as payroll and patient care plans
  • Planning, coordinating and testing the Business Recovery Plan
  • Media library management, tracking and retrieval
  • Managing projects such as cabling moves, data center migrations, large facility-related renovations, equipment replacements and server installs and decommissions