This document is meant to highlight what is offered for server builds through Information Services at DePaul. Please note these servers are available for request by Staff and Faculty only. For more information on using your server, please click here.
When deploying a server through Information Services’ Infrastructure Systems team, you will receive:
- A standard operating system offering, patched regularly
- Proactive monitoring and logging of critical operating system services and log files
- 90-day retained backup image of the server
Virtual Server Environment
Servers at DePaul are “virtual” by default – that is, an object that is deployed on a virtualization platform backed by high-powered and resourced physical hosts. The virtualization software layer which we utilize in order to deploy virtual servers is VMWare vSphere. Each server we deploy in this environment possesses one of our standard operating systems, along with a set of default applications that allows us to provide the services we have outlined above.
If instead you would need a more traditional physical server with dedicated hardware, we do evaluate those on a case-by-case basis. Feel free to submit a General Systems Request in ServiceNow to discuss such needs.
Standard Operating System
When we deploy a virtual server, it will most likely include one of two of our currently offered standard operating systems (latest version). Each server is also deployed with standard set of specifications:
- Windows Server 2022
- CPU: 2
- RAM: 6 GB
- NIC: 1Gbe
- Storage: C:\ - 100 GB, D:\ - 50 GB, E:\ - 40 GB
- Oracle Linux 8
- CPU: 2
- RAM: 4 GB
- NIC: 1Gbe
- Storage: / - 40 GB, /var – 20 GB, /home – 20GB
Additionally, we will perform regular patching on your server, ensuring that your machine receives critical security updates, bug fixes, and the latest version of the deployed operating system. This is usually done monthly and the service portal will have a banner informing end-users of when patching is happening.
Backup
Virtual servers which are deployed are backed up as “image” objects that allow for restoration of server state up to 90 days prior to the current date. The application which we use in order to do this is Veeam Backup and Replication.
With Veeam in place, we are able to perform several functions to preserve virtual machines, including:
- Regularly scheduled backup of virtual servers
- On-demand backup and restore of virtual servers
- Point-in-time data restoration (either by file or whole virtual server) – back to 90 days prior to the last current backup
Monitoring and Logging
Through monitoring of services as well as logging of core systems directories, servers deployed from Systems are able to proactively inform administrators of any issues with the system or provide metrics or log information about applications, security, or systems processes. This is accomplished through the use of two applications.
- PRTG is a monitoring tool hosted by Information Services which regularly audits the health of critical metrics and services on servers and other resources utilized by DePaul. The platform will notify resource administrators via email should it detect any degradation of health. PRTG also provides an administrative web interface for resource owners to utilize.
- Windows: C:\ and D:\ volume space and core services (Event Logging, Remote Desktop, etc.)
- Linux: Mount points (/, /home, /var, etc.) and core services (Syslog, SSH, etc.)
- Splunk is an enterprise-level logging and analysis software that ingests data from servers into purpose-built indexers which can then be searched via a web interface with a powerful querying language. Use cases range from compiling statistics from data of interest (such as the number of logins or percentage of log entries for a certain time period) to the creation of easily viewable dashboards to share and report on ingested data/logs, and more.
How to Request a Virtual Server
Requesting a virtual server is as simple as submitting a Server Request in ServiceNow. You will be asked some basic information for deployment, including what the server’s intended function is, a desired hostname in the dpu.depaul.edu namespace, and storage/resource needs. It is highly encouraged that you read any systems requirements and/or best practices for any applications you intend on installing on the server prior to requesting one.
After submission, we will review the submitted form, contact you if necessary with any questions, and then submit the server for approval. Once approved, your server will be deployed and delivered to you, along with basic instructions for access.
If you have further questions about how servers are deployed at DePaul or what we offer in our standard deployments, please feel free to submit a General Systems Request in ServiceNow.