By Chris Arkell

Less than one year ago, OIT began offering space to house research computers, and demand for that space continues to grow. The Research Data Center (RDC) was created to provide the university community with the ability to co-locate their important research equipment in a facility designed specifically for that purpose. The RDC offers a raised floor environment with improved networking, security, electrical and cooling infrastructure among its features. Prior to this offering, hardware typically resided in office or building spaces not designed for this purpose. These inferior accommodations frequently led to increased disruptions in service and damage to the hardware. They are more expensive to construct and maintain and therefore don’t achieve the economies of scale realized through a central data center.

In the short time since its opening, several groups have taken advantage of the improved facility. Groups from the departments of Geology, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Biology, and the Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC) have joined original RDC members Particle Astrophysics and the Institute for Physical Science and Technology (IPST). Many other groups have expressed interest in co-locating their critical research equipment to the space, and OIT expects continued growth and success with the RDC.

Visit www.oit.umd.edu/units/ops/rdc for more information or e-mail oit-rdc@umd.edu.