Indiana U To Back Up State Government Data Center

• By Paul McCloskey
• 07/10/07

Indiana University has signed an agreement to provide its home state government with back-up data center services. Representatives from the Indiana Office of Technology and IU said the deal will give the state a hot site that will enable IOT to continue operations for critical IT services should its primary center in Indianapolis become unavailable.

The deal also gives IOT flexibility to change and test configurations.

State CIO Gerry Weaver said IOT has "been working to secure a real disaster recovery solution, which the state did not have." The bid for the services was competed but no one "could match IU on cost, flexibility, and reliability," Weaver said.

Indiana CIO Brad Wheeler said the agreement "makes wise use of Indiana's investments in the I-light network and skills at IU," especially during a time "when disaster preparedness is of major concern to all institutions...."

Under the agreement, the state will maintain redundant equipment in the IU facility. The state can then switch operations to the equipment in Bloomington, IN, should their primary equipment in Indianapolis become unusable.

IOT said an arrangement with the Indiana GigaPoP--a state and regional network 'point of presence'--was a key piece of the agreement.

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