File Storage - Options, Prices, and Billing
Storage Options and Prices
For departments or individuals with large-volume storage needs who choose to purchase storage space from ITS, we have calculated the storage acquisition costs (e.g., disk, backup tapes) for three options that are described here. The first-time minimum purchase amount is 50 GB, but subsequent purchase amounts can vary. All ITS storage services are housed in physically secure data centers with redundant power and cooling, environmental monitoring, and ample space for future growth.
Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID): This is the basic element of all storage options that provides a reliable facility for data storage. It consists of a physically secure data center that is properly maintained and uses hardware redundancy to protect against data loss.
Snapshots: Snapshots provide a limited ability to recover deleted files or previous versions of files. The system takes snapshots of files every four hours and stores them on the same disks as the primary data.
Replication: Files and snapshots are replicated to a second data center for fast recovery in case of a disaster.
| Prices of Network-Storage Options | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 GB - Price per Month | 1 GB - Price per Year | |
| RAID | $.12 | $1.44 |
| RAID + Snapshots | $.15 | $1.80 |
| RAID + Snapshots + Replication | $.25 | $3.00 |
Billing Information
Departments and researchers with large-volume storage needs have the choice of three billing methods. Departments will then be billed based on the method they choose, until they decide to no longer use the service.
- Monthly billing (default method)
- Annual billing
- Upfront billing for multiple years
Unless departments or researchers specify a billing preference, we will bill you monthly. If a department decides to sign up for the annual billing cycle, for the first year storage fees will be prorated depending on when the user signs up for the service. The standard annual billing cycle will then begin on July 1 of the following fiscal year.
We are in the process of automating the billing so that units requesting file space can do everything online. In the meantime, we ask that you complete a billing requisition form - requisition template. On the form we ask that you:
- Fill in the MFK.
- Fill in the requestor information.
- Fill in the provider information:
Phone Number – 319-335-6322
Department Name – Information Technology Services
Contact Name – Deb Sabers
Address – 2800 UCC
- Fill in the item description.
I am requesting XX GB which will cost $XX.XX per gigabyte per month, for a total of $XX.XX each month. (NOTE: The first-time purchase amount is 50 GB, but subsequent purchase amounts can vary.)
- Print out and sign the requisition.
- Send the signed requisition form though campus mail or by fax.
- Campus mail – send to Mike Frangi, Information Technology Services, 2800 UCC
- Fax – send to 319-335-5505 c/o Mike Frangi
If you have any questions please contact the ITS Help Desk at 319-384-HELP (4357) or its-helpdesk@uiowa.edu.