Standards for Computing and Networking

Minimum Server Hardware Standards

Below is a list of server hardware standards supported at Colorado State University. Each product has an arrow associated with it.

	An up arrow indicates the product is the upcoming or the most current standard on campus. Users are encouraged to implement these products as soon as possible and can expect the highest degree of support for items with this symbol. Generally, these products are supported with consultation and training.
	A right arrow indicates that the product is no longer the most current or that there is a question about the stability of the company that supports the product. While many of the products in this category are widely used on campus, their usefulness may be limited due to changing industry or campus standards. Those using products in this category should plan to migrate to a currently supported product within 18 to 24 months, or sooner as opportunity permits (for example, when upgrades are being done).
	A down arrow indicates the product is outdated and is no longer supported. Users should make immediate plans to upgrade to a supported product.

 

Support

Academic Computing and Networking Services (ACNS) will provide complete support for products with an up arrow. Support may consist of training, consulting, troubleshooting, or purchasing.

• Training is provided for system administrators and users. System administrator training is accomplished through demonstrations and technical user groups. User training is accomplished via demonstrations, hands-on workshops and self-teaching materials (video tapes, CD-ROM's). Currently user training is provided for the one industry standard software suite, Microsoft Office. In addition, training is provided for the most current Windows and UNIX operating systems, electronic mail programs, and WWW browser, composer, and course development software.

 

• Consulting is available for supported products through services provided by Computer Training and Support Services (CTSS) and the ACNS Computing Help Desk, located in 224A Weber.

 

• For supported products ACNS will secure the best educational pricing available from vendors or, where possible, acquire site licenses. Products are sold or distributed through the RAMtech.

MINIMUM SERVER HARDWARE STANDARDS FOR COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY

Hardware should include server class machines (not desktops) with redundant components.
Server Hardware*	PC
Processor	Intel or AMD dual or quad core server class processors Take into account service specific recommendations.
OS / Memory	Windows 2008 Server SP 2 Windows 2003 Server SP 2 4 GB minimum or 2 GB RAM / processor, whichever is greater. May need more RAM depending on services running on server.
Disk: System Disk SCSI Interface File Storage: SCSI Interfaces, redundancy	Hardware RAID with spare disk Size dependent on application
Network Interface Card	1 Gb
Peripherals	DVD
	Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
	Tape Backup
	Consider service contract and how quickly replacement parts can be obtained.
* UNIX - Because of the wide and divergent variety of hardware and operating systems for UNIX, straightforward desktop and server hardware UNIX standards are difficult to define.