Linux Virtual Server Free Pilot Test

Is there a Linux server in or near your work area, taking up valuable space, not to mention using up power and generating heat? CIT is pleased to announce the availability of Linux virtual servers for a free pilot test. As mentioned in the previous issue of Interface (issue 240), using virtual servers located in the NIH Data Center instead of stand-alone servers can result in a large reduction in energy use while also freeing up space and keeping work areas cooler. A gcc compiler will be available on request, so any open source software can be installed.

Application environments

Two application environments (both running on Red Hat Linux) have been successfully tested so far: a JAVA based application using the Resin application server and communicating with a backend MS SQL database on a remote host; and a LAMP based application.

LAMP, which stands for Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP/PERL, is an interlocking set of technologies on which developers can build and deploy web-based applications.

•	Apache is the most widely used web server on the planet. Apache has been an open source effort from its beginnings in 1995 and is controlled by a group called The Apache Software Foundation. Apache remains the de facto reference platform against which all other web servers are judged.
•	MySQL is a multithreaded, multiuser, SQL-based database management system with more than 6 million installations.
•	PHP, Perl and Python are the programming languages of choice in most LAMP and LAMP-like installations. All are characterized as concise, compact scripting languages that allow a user to execute a program on the web server from within a browser window.

Although these are the only two technologies that have been tested so far, the virtual servers would be available to test running any other open source technologies or applications during the pilot test.

The free pilot test program

Initially the pilot test environment will have the capacity for only a limited number of participants, therefore we will consider requests for participation on a first come first served basis. The free pilot test will last for 6 to 9 months and will help us determine if the service should be offered on a production basis and, if so, appropriate charges for the service. If Linux becomes a production service offered by CIT, participants in the pilot will have the opportunity to transition to the production service and avoid any initial set up costs.

Questions?

To request participating in the free pilot test, discuss your requirements or for further information, please contact the NIH Help Desk at 301-496-4357 (6-HELP) (local), 866-319-4357 (toll free), or 301-496-8294 (TTY) and ask to be contacted by a virtual Linux server consultant. We look forward to devoting our best efforts to support you!