The LRZ operates as cloud storage highly available, largely scalable, high-performance storage systems in access-secured, fully air-conditioned rooms of the data centre (private cloud). Data security is guaranteed by multi-level backup procedures. With the cloud storage the LRZ offers central, secure file services to employees and students of the Munich universities and other institutions that belong to the authorized clientele of the LRZ. The cloud storage can be accessed within the Munich scientific network by direct integration into the respective file system of the user and/or by using a web interface.

Storage classes

The storage classes differ primarily in the degree of reliability. In all storage classes, two or three disks can fail simultaneously without data loss. All storage classes have redundant storage controllers. In a cluster with redundant storage controllers, one storage controller can fail without interrupting access.

• Storage class Standard
  The data is stored on two to three times protected disks and redundant storage controllers
• Storage class Premium
  The data is stored on two to three times protected, access optimized disks and redundant storage controllers. So-called replicas of the data are generated several times a day on a secondary system installed in another fire compartment. In addition, the data (only CIFS storage spaces) is regularly backed up to tertiary storage (tapes).

The access protocol is usually CIFS. If the storage is used for other services and applications of the customer which are also operated at the LRZ, the data for these applications can also be provided via NFS (version 3). These NFS data areas are not additionally backed up to tertiary storage (tapes).

To protect against ransomware/crypto trojans, a software is used that analyzes all storage system transactions in real time for anomalies and blocks access for affected users when anomalies are detected to prevent them from spreading.

Further details or deviations from the standard offer will be defined in an individual offer in consultation with the customer if required.

Support, Service Level

The using institution independently takes over the 1st level support. The service desk of the LRZ is available as 2nd level support. Stubborn problem cases are passed on to the 3rd level support (manufacturer) if necessary.

Definition of the basic supply of cloud storage

Provided that the service is used in the sense of a basic supply, the LRZ assumes for the users of the user class (1) as far as possible the costs incurred (investment and operating costs), provided that these have been secured by funds in the budget of the LRZ. The LRZ is also responsible for the timely submission of the necessary applications (large-scale research facilities according to §91b GG or large-scale facilities of the Länder according to §143c GG). This presupposes that corresponding requests and changes are notified in time so that they can be incorporated into corresponding preliminary planning (budget estimates) and applications (e.g. applications for large-scale equipment).

The LRZ procures the infrastructure for providing the storage as well as a basic contingent of disk space and distributes this space to its class (1) customers. This defines the basic supply. Any additional requirements, i.e. those that cannot be covered by the budget of the LRZ or by corresponding large equipment applications, must be paid extra by the customers. The quantification of the basic supply is checked at the change of the accounting year and adjusted if necessary. For the billing year 2023, 1.100 TiB of usable cloud storage capacity as well as 650 TiB ISAR cloud storage will be made available free of charge to the Technical University of Munich and the Ludwig-Maximilians-University.

The service can only be used from a purchase quantity of 2 TiB upwards for at least 1 year. Up to 2 TiB, the booked, not the used memory is billed.

User Guideline

The service-specific guidelines for the use of the Munich science network (in German) and cloud storage must be observed.

This service is made available to the following user classes. The following fees are to be paid by the individual user classes:

In the standard case, the average monthly storage space ACTUALLY USED by the customer is billed. The discount levels depend on the amount of storage used. Invoices are issued annually at the beginning of the following year.

For the ISAR service option, the fees for the Standard storage class apply.