Mission

Our mission is to provide an IT infrastructure for science that supports data-intensive research in a highly collaborative environment. This infrastructure includes storage, high-speed network connectivity, a high-performance computing platform, and software tools and services to support the advanced analytic needs of the scientific community.

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Research Storage

UT Southwestern supports researchers by leveraging both the new UT Research Cyberinfrastructure project (UTRC) and UT system resources, including the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC).

• TACC Getting Started page.

The UT Data Repository (UTDR), part of UTRC, enables long-term data storage, the hosting of large scientific data collections for collaborations and communities, and analysis capabilities that span multiple collections. UTDR also facilitates data management proposals to NSF and NIH — a requirement in all NSF and NIH proposals. The system is being designed by a multi-institution team to ensure that it meets diverse research requirements and can scale up for future needs.

For more information, please visit the UT Cyberinfrastructure website or contact the Research Computing Staff.

High-Speed Networking

High-bandwidth network connectivity between the UT Cyberinfrastructure resources and institutions enables sharing of data and movement of data to/from computing and data systems. UT Sysnet deployed this high-bandwidth network capability (10 Gbps connection) between the institutions, and works with institutions to utilize it by resolving ‘last-mile’ issues into research facilities and centers on their campuses.

For information regarding local high bandwidth connectivity, please contact the Research Computing Staff.

High-Speed Computation

UT Southwestern works with TACC to provide high-speed computation. The new Lonestar supercomputing system at TACC (with archival storage on the Ranch archival facility) provides the advanced computing. Lonestar enables parallel computing applications, large shared memory applications, high throughput computing, and remote visualization of large-scale data.

Lonestar is a national TeraGrid resource and is one of the most powerful, productive, and comprehensive academic systems in the U.S. Lonestar's availability within UTRC presents a scientific advantage to researchers at UT System institutions.

For information or to request help regarding these resources, please contact the Research Computing Staff.

Research Software Network Proxy

All software packages supporting proxy server settings will work with the UT Southwestern network. Most research-related software packages support proxy settings.

If the application does not support the use of a proxy, then a firewall configuration will have to be reviewed by Information Security.

Current examples of research software that have been granted a proxy exception include Jabber, iRODS, and REDCap.

Users interested in using any non-proxy-supporting software, including video conferencing systems, should contact the IR Service Desk so Information Security can review the requirements, approve, and implement.

Software Core

The Software Core provides software to UT Southwestern faculty, students, and postdoctoral candidates at low or no cost. This is accomplished through bulk purchases and low-cost buy-in for campus-wide licenses. The core is supported by the deans of the graduate and medical schools and by Information Resources.