Project Genesis: A New Beginning
As America’s fastest-rising university, UCR takes a pioneering approach to overcoming the complex challenges confronting our world. Innovative research and discovery are at the very core of UCR’s purpose, and must therefore be powered and protected by the most advanced and secure data management technologies available.
For this reason, Information Technology Solutions (ITS) is proud to introduce Project Genesis. Project Genesis aims to meet the mounting data management demands of our top-ranking University by migrating key data center infrastructure and equipment to a leading-edge colocation data center facility. The Cyxtera LAX3 Data Center in Irvine, CA, provides carrier-neutral connectivity, rigorous critical systems infrastructure, and multi-tier security.
At a time when power providers are abruptly shutting down the grid, fire and earthquake danger is high, and cyberattacks are on the rise, these advanced data management safeguards are invaluable to the continued success of our growing University. In Fall of 2018, UCR experienced seven power outages as a result of disruptions in service from Riverside Public Utilities. These outages caused critical campus systems to fail, effectively shutting down campus operations for days at a time.
These troublesome events served as the catalyst for change, compelling campus leaders to take an innovative and forward-thinking approach to solve our data infrastructure deficiencies. An initial evaluation of our current data center revealed that the renovations required to support the wide range of administrative data systems placed too great of a financial burden on the University. After careful consideration of all viable options and stakeholder interests, it was decided that our current data center would be repurposed to serve other UCR IT initiatives and Cyxtera would be engaged to house the core data center infrastructure and equipment that powers our critical campus systems. Project Genesis was born.
Over the course of the past few years, ITS has worked diligently to plan and implement a comprehensive migration strategy. ITS is proud to announce the completion of Project Genesis, as it marks an important step made toward improving UCR's data management infrastructure. To learn how ITS is continuing to reimagine campus information architecture and championing modern, cloud-based solutions, visit its.ucr.edu/projects.
