Servers and storage

The agreement remains in effect until further notice, with a notice of termination period of three (3) months.

Price example of servers -  2024 price list

Example Server 1:
2 vCPUs, 4 GB RAM and 100 GB of SSD storage cost about SEK 189,6/month. With Windows Server, an additional fee of SEK 10/month.

Example Server 2:
4 vCPUs, 8 GB of RAM and 100 GB of SSD storage cost about SEK 311,3/month. With Windows Server, an additional fee of SEK 20/month.

Order IaaS

• Order a virtual server by sending the completed order form for IaaS by creating a new helpdesk ticket on KI Self Service.
• State the name you would like the server to have. Your server will be assigned that name provided it is available, works with other infrastructure, and the service the server will be used for.
• The service's delivery time is about five working days. If you order a stronger configuration, longer delivery times might occur due to hardware delivery times.
• When ordering the server, you must also order an opening in KI’s firewall (in the same order form as IaaS)

IaaS Virtual Server Plus

Included in the service

• Leased server capacity in the form of vCPUs, RAM and storage space. The client defines their own configuration based on existing needs.
• The client has administrator rights/root access to the server.
• The server can be installed as the latest release for the following operating systems:
  - Windows Server 2022
  - Windows Server 2019
  - CentOS
  - Ubuntu
• The virtual server service includes snapshot backup. A snapshot backup is created once a day and saved for 30 days.
• The server is equipped with failover, meaning that in the event of hardware component failure, the server will restart in another data centre. If this occurs, services running on the server may be switched to standby mode. The client will then need to verify that the services are working once the server has restarted at the secondary data centre.
• Updating of the operating system is included.
• Installation and updates of antivirus software with updates of definition files are included.
• The IT Office configures the server’s local firewall.
• Connection to KI’s AD.
• The server must be administered via the KI network or a VPN. External parties needing administrator rights to the server must order a support consultant account.

Important to know about the service

• Departments that are not part of Coordinated IT will need to sign a storage agreement with the IT Office.
• The IT office handles the configuration of the server’s local firewall. To order changes, contact IT support.
• You will also need to order a port in KI’s firewall when ordering the server.
• The client’s undertaking includes compliance with all of KI’s and the IT Office’s policies/regulations/guidelines for IT security.
• The IT Office does not provide application installation, operation or support services. The client is responsible for all services and applications installed on the server, including updates to these.
• VMware Tools must be installed on the server.
• The local firewall must not be disabled.
• The service can only be ordered with the latest release of the previously specified operating systems.
• If other storage solutions are connected to the server, data backup shall be handled according to the procedures for these services.
• The IT Office retains the right to isolate the server from the rest of the network if any threat to security is identified.

Environment and security

• The storage servers are located in a professional data centre, which means
• Physical protection, as well as cooling, uninterrupted power with UPS units and diesel.
• Energy efficiency compared with servers located in other environments such as offices.

Support

• For fault reporting and support, contact Helpdesk.
• The IT Office may take down the service according to the procedures for service and maintenance.

Prices

• Set-up cost: SEK 1,000 (one-time set-up charge)
•  Yearly fee: SEK 6,000/year

The agreement remains in effect until further notice, with a notice of termination period of three (3) months. 

The price examples of servers presented for Iaas are the same for Iaas Plus - with an additional monthly cost of SEK 500.

Order IaaS Plus

• Order a virtual server by sending the completed order form for IaaS Plus to KI Self Service.
• State the name you would like the server to have. Your server will be assigned that name provided it is available, works with other infrastructure, and the service the server will be used for.
• The service's delivery time is about five working days. If you order a stronger configuration, longer delivery times might occur due to hardware delivery times.
• You must also order an opening in KI’s firewall when ordering the server.

GPU server

A GPU server is a powerful server designed for image analysis or heavier, demanding calculations. These servers are equipped with high-performance A40 Nvidia cards, fast storage and RAM.

The server is available in four different levels depending on the research group's specific needs, and this solution differs slightly from other server services in terms of redundancy and backup.

Important to know about the service

• The server operating system is backed up with snapshots once a day, and data is backed up once daily by a file backup agent. The backup is stored for 90 days. 
• The servers do not have failover, so if the underlying hardware fails, operations will be interrupted until it is replaced. Restoration can be done using backup.
• Scheduled service windows occur up to once every two months to update the underlying hardware's operating system. During the service window, the server needs to be taken down and restarted when it is complete. The buyer needs to verify that the services are working once the server has been started. The service windows that take place on Tuesdays between 19:00 and 23:00 are always announced to the customer two weeks in advance.
• Unscheduled service windows to correct acute problems with the underlying hardware also occur on Tuesdays between 19:00 - 23:00 unless otherwise required. The need to shut down and start up the server is done in consultation with the customer to the best of our ability.

Environment and security

• The servers are located in a professional data centre, which means:
• Physical protection and cooling, uninterruptible power with UPS and diesel.
• Energy efficiency compared to servers set up in other environments, such as offices. Support
• For error reporting and support, a case is created on KI Self Service.

Ordering and delivery of GPU server

• Ordering is done by creating a case in KI Self Service. When the IT Office receives this, you will be contacted to map your needs in more detail before a server is set up.
• A firewall opening may be needed to ensure access to the server other than via the KI network. In such a case, your order is supplemented with a form for this, which is also discussed in connection with the order.
• The service's delivery time is usually about five working days. Longer delivery times may occur if a new hardware order is required.
• The agreement is valid until further notice, with a three (3) month notice period.

Additional costs

Set-up cost: SEK 1000 (one-time cost)

Central storage

Central storage involves storing data and files at Karolinska Institutet’s storage server. Depending on who is to access the information, there are three different options for where to store files and data: project folders (P:), lab folders (L:) and group shared folders (G:),

Who is the service suitable for?

The service is suitable for departments, groups, and users at Karolinska Institutet. The user must be employed or affiliated with KI, have a KI ID, and have access rights to the respective storage area.

Included in the service

• The project folders (P:): The party placing the order can choose who can access the storage area. It is not locked to specific groups or Departments. Project folders are suitable for collaborations and projects between groups or Departments at KI. The folder's owner can set the rights for the created subfolders. In this case, the owner is responsible for who has access rights to the folder and its subfolders.
• Lab Folders (L:): A storage area accessible from the lab networks where other storage solutions are not available. 
• A group shared directory (G:): Access to the folder is automatically controlled for those employed or affiliated with the group. When a new person joins the group, they automatically gain access to the folder and automatically lose access when they retract.

Important to know about the service

• To use the storage areas, the user needs a KI ID and be authorised (have access rights) for the various types of storage areas.
• To access the storage servers, one must be connected to an internal KI network or use a VPN.
• If the department is not part of Coordinated IT, it needs a storage agreement with the IT Office to use the service.

Environment and security

The storage servers are located in a professional data centre, which means:

• Redundancy via servers in both Solna and Flemingsberg.
• Physical protection, as well as cooling, uninterrupted power with UPS units and diesel.
• Energy efficiency compared with servers located in other environments such as offices.
• Protection of servers with antivirus software.

Support

• For fault reporting and support, contact Helpdesk.
• The IT Office may take down the service according to the service and maintenance procedures.

Prices

• SEK 1.29/GB/year.
• Storage exceeding 70 TB per department (including S3 and central storage folders) will be charged quarterly to the department via Companion.
• The price and any changes in the terms and conditions are communicated at least three (3) months before they become effective.

Order Central Storage

• Karolinska Institutet’s storage servers are available to all departments within Coordinated IT.
• Other Departments can access the storage by signing a storage agreement with the IT Office.
• You can order central storage by creating a new helpdesk ticket on KI Self Service and attaching a completed order form (found at the bottom of this page).

S3 object storage

S3 storage is a service for those who need to store large quantities of data and who can use the S3 protocol or have an instrument that uses the S3 protocol.

You will need to assign user rights to anyone who requires access to data stored in S3, whether they work at KI or externally.

Who is the service suitable for?

The service is suited to the needs of research groups, departments and core facilities at Karolinska Institutet.

What does the service include? 

• A tenant account in KI’s S3 environment for managing S3 storage. An administrator account for one tenant for the creation of user accounts and assigning storage rights. The administrator account also creates the buckets in which objects are stored.
• The ability to create buckets in S3 storage. In S3, a bucket is a container in which data (objects) and metadata are stored, much like a folder for files.
• The administrator can create accounts/users for its tenant and use these to assign storage rights.
• Accounts can be created for users within and outside KI.
• Access to data in S3 from KI’s and other networks.

Important to know about the service

• You can activate version management. A copy of the file is created for each version. You then pay for the storage space taken up by the copies.
• S3 storage is geographically redundant through mirroring between two data centres.
• No KI ID is required to access S3 storage. The user account in the S3 tenant account is used for verification.
• The Information Technology Office does not provide assistance in setting up S3 storage from the customer’s side.

Environment and security

The storage servers are located in a professional data centre, which means:

• Redundancy via servers in both Solna and Flemingsberg.
• Physical protection, as well as cooling, uninterrupted power with UPS units and diesel.
• Energy efficiency compared with servers located in other environments such as offices.

Prices

• SEK 1.29/GB/year.
• Storage exceeding 70 TB per department (including S3) will be charged quarterly to the department by the IT Office.
• Price- or any other changes of the terms and conditions are communicated at least three (3) months prior to when they become effective.

Order S3 Storage

• Complete the order form and send it by creating a new helpdesk ticket on KI Self Service. 
• Lead time for lower volumes is five working days.
• Lead time for higher volumes may be longer as the IT Office will then need to expand the system.

Managed File Transfer (MFT)

• Managed File Transfer (MFT) is a service for sharing and receiving data both with KI people and people outside KI in a secure and controlled way.
• Data added to the service will be active for 30 days; after that, it is important to know that the data will be deleted.

For whom is the service suitable?

• MFT is a service for research groups, institutions, core facilities, and other KI users who need to securely share data with others.

This is included in the service

• The ability to securely distribute data to people at KI or outside KI.
• The ability to securely receive data from people at KI or outside KI.
• MFT is accessible via HTTPS (browser) and SFTP (application).

Important to know about the service

• The service is not for storage but only for sharing and receiving data.
• Data on the MFT service will be active for 30 days, after which it will be deleted.
• Log in to the service with an email address, password, and MFA.

Environment and safety

The storage servers are located in a professional data hall, which means:

• Redundancy, including services in both Solna and Flemingsberg.
• Physical protection and cooling, uninterruptible power with UPS and diesel.
• Energy efficiency compared to having servers in other environments such as offices.

Support

For error reporting and support, contact IT support via the KI Self Service portal.

Prices

The service is included in the IT fee. No order is needed to start using MFT - read more about how to get started with MFT here.