The CSE Data Center provides a streamlined, start-to-finish workflow for faculty, students, and research groups deploying compute systems for research or instructional use. These steps help ensure your system is safely installed, properly supported, and ready for use in the shared environment.
The Data Center is a physically access-controlled, dark facility with no 24/7 onsite staffing. Racks are shared among multiple stakeholders with varying data-type requirements, and each PI is responsible for coordinating with CSEHelp if additional security measures are needed for their projects.
- Plan Your Compute Needs
Before submitting a request, customers should think through:
- What compute or storage technology they need
- How the system supports their research or project
- Which vendor or hardware platform they intend to purchase
This helps ensure our intake form captures accurate, actionable information.
- Submit the Data Center Intake Form
Customers begin the process by completing the Data Center Intake Form. The form collects:
- System specifications
- Rack, power, and network requirements
- Project justification
- Contact information
- Expected timeline
This becomes the official request and the single source for the review process.
- CSEHelp Reviews the Submission
The CSEHelp team evaluates the request for:
- Feasibility
- Rack space availability
- Power and cooling impact
- Network requirements
- Security considerations
If clarification is needed, CSEHelp will reach out directly to the customer.
- Department Chair & CAO Approval
CSEHelp summarizes the request and forwards it to:
- The Department Chair
- The CAO
They review the request based on:
- Departmental priorities
- Resource availability
- Security and compliance expectations
Outcome:
- Approved → Customer may proceed to procurement
- Denied → Customer must determine an alternate hosting location
- Procurement Phase
Once approved, the customer may:
- Finalize vendor quotes
- Purchase the system
- Coordinate delivery logistics with CSEHelp
CSEHelp will provide shipping instructions and confirm rack placement.
- Pre-Deployment Information Gathering
After the system is ordered, CSEHelp sends a Google Intake Worksheet to collect:
- MAC addresses
- Network configuration needs
- OS requirements
- Any special considerations
This ensures the system can be integrated smoothly upon arrival.
- System Arrival & Rack Installation
When the system arrives:
- CSE staff unbox, inspect, and rack the hardware
- Power and network connections are provisioned
- The customer is notified when the system is ready for OS installation
- Customer Performs Initial Setup
Once the system is racked, the customer must:
- Install the latest Ubuntu LTS or approved OS
- Apply the assigned network configuration for both Management (IPMI) and LAN
- Apply baseline firewall configurations
- Install campus minimum required IT security tools:
- Qualys
- Trellix
- Validate system operation
CSEHelp can assist with network or access issues as needed.
- System Goes Into Service
After OS installation and security requirements are complete:
- The system becomes fully operational
- The customer may begin using it for research or coursework
- Performs OS updates — Customers are responsible for keeping their system up to date with security patches and vendor updates
- Responds to Campus IT requests — Customers must respond to campus security notifications, vulnerability scans, or required remediation actions
CSEHelp remains available for operational support and lifecycle guidance.
Summary
The CSE Data Center provides a clear, structured workflow: customers plan their compute needs, submit a single intake form, receive departmental approval, procure their system, and work with CSEHelp to deploy it in the data center. Once racked, customers install an approved OS, apply network settings, and complete cybersecurity requirements before beginning their work.
Questions?
Please contact CSEHelp at csehelp@ucsd.edu