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RRZ
Regional Computing
Center (RRZ)

Photo: UHH/RRZ/Mentz

Operating Concept for Server Housing at the RRZ

Organizational framework conditions

  • Access to the building is possible at any time during the respective opening hours of the building at Schlüterstraße 70.
  • Physical access to the room is secured electronically by a transponder and a PIN. The transponder and PIN number may not be passed on to third parties. The loss of the transponder or disclosure of the PIN must be reported to the RRZ as soon as possible.
  • The applicant must be registered as an IT manager at the RRZ. The IT manager must be specified by the department, along with their contact details (email, telephone, room) and their deputy.
  • The applicant and their deputy are authorized to enter the server room. External service providers must be notified to the RRZ in advance and must then be accompanied at all times and their work monitored. A maximum of two people are allowed access at any one time. Additional persons will only be granted access upon special request.
  • The department/chair/institute (using institution) that has a device installed via the applicant must ensure that the RRZ is provided with the name of a contact person who is responsible for the device. Personnel changes must be reported to the RRZ immediately and without being requested to do so.
  • The user institution carries out the necessary installation, maintenance, and testing work for the device at its own expense and risk.
  • The user institution is fully responsible for the maintenance and care of the hardware, the operating system necessary for operation, the software installed on it, and the necessary license procurement. In particular, there is an obligation to keep the device and software up to date with the latest patches and to secure access to the device in accordance with the state of the art (ID, password, key pair, etc.). If an external service provider is commissioned to perform these tasks, this must be reported to the RRZ.
  • The device remains the property of the user institution at all times. The RRZ does not acquire any ownership rights by installing the device in the RRZ.
  • The RRZ reserves the right to remove any device that has been installed unlawfully.

Period of validity and termination

  • The term begins on the agreed date of installation of the device. The term is initially limited to two years after commissioning and must then be renegotiated.
  • The RRZ may terminate use six months before expiry.
  • The RRZ may shut down the device and terminate the agreement with immediate effect if the designated contact person for the device can no longer be reached.
  • After the term of use has expired, the user institution must remove the device from the room and other areas immediately, at the latest within ten (10) working days, at its own expense and risk. If the device is not removed within this period, the RRZ will have the device removed at the expense of the user institution.

Obligations of the user institution

  • Changes to the RRZ's own infrastructure in the room are prohibited.
  • Garbage and other packaging material must be removed from the room immediately.
  • The user institution must support the RRZ in maintaining documentation/the provided rack plans.
  • No equipment may be set up, stored, or operated in the room outside the rack space allocated to the user institution.
  • Food and drink are not permitted in the room.
  • No locking devices may be installed or replaced in the room or in the rack, nor may access by RRZ employees to the rack/rack space be impeded in any other way.
  • The user institution acknowledges the RRZ guidelines, the other RRZ documents on house rules, including their revisions, and all reasonable instructions from RRZ representatives.
  • The operation of a separate UPS is prohibited.
  • The user institution may bring in a maximum of 1000 kg per rack.
  • Only the user's own devices may be operated; modifying devices belonging to other institutions is prohibited.
  • Bringing in your own network components is prohibited.
  • The user institution must ensure that both the rack and the door to the room are properly closed when leaving the room.
  • The user institution undertakes to use the installed equipment only for teaching and research at the University of Hamburg.

Hardware / Network / Software

  • The device must meet the technical requirements.
  • The RRZ provides a firewall for network traffic when using the housing IP range.
  • Maintenance work should be carried out using out-of-band management wherever possible.
  • WLAN and a VoIP telephone are available in the room.
  • A mobile trolley with a monitor, keyboard, and mouse is provided so that direct access to the device is possible in an emergency.

Relocation of the rack/rack space

  • For operational reasons, the RRZ may arrange for the device to be relocated.
  • The user institution is responsible for carrying out the relocation. As far as possible and reasonable, the RRZ will notify the user institution of the relocation date in writing at least fifteen (15) days in advance and request that the relocation be carried out. If the user institution does not carry out the relocation, the RRZ may carry out the relocation at the expense and risk of the user.
  • In the event of a relocation, the RRZ will make reasonable efforts to minimize interruptions.