The North Hall Data Center (NHDC) is a resource for hosting UCSB information technology systems across the academic, administrative and research communities. NHDC server hosting includes:

  • Rack space, power, and network cables
  • Data network transport

While the customer must provide the server to be hosted and mounting rails, there is no direct cost to the customer for hosting equipment in NHDC. ITS manages and operates the facility on behalf of the campus community. As a shared campus resource, customers must follow the policies and procedures in place to support effective management of the facility.

The NHDC also provides hard drive destruction services. More information available here.

Become a NHDC Customer

We ask that you review the following resources before you submit a request to host equipment in the NHDC:

After reviewing and familiarizing yourself with these customer expectations and policies, please submit a ServiceNow ticket with the necessary information for your request. (Note: As part of the request process, you must complete an equipment inventory spreadsheet using the provided Box template in the ServiceNow form.)

Prior to installation, the NHDC will contact you to discuss needs, review customer expectations, and sign the service agreement.

Questions?

Contact ets-nhdc@ucsb.edu

Data Center Access, Etiquette, and Security

The North Hall Data Center (NHDC) is a secure facility. Customer access is typically limited to installation, maintenance, break-fix, restart, or return-to-service needs.

Access Requirements

  • NHDC is staffed during standard university business hours (Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm). All other times are considered after hours.

  • All visitors must sign in and out at the NHDC front desk.
  • UCSB personnel must present a UCSB-issued Access ID Card when visiting the facility.
  • NHDC customers who require unescorted access must submit an access request, approved by their department and NHDC management.

After-Hours and Emergency Access

24/7 access may be approved for break-fix, restart, or return-to-service needs only, limited to a designated Primary and Secondary Administrator for each entity hosting equipment. These requests can be submitted through this Docusign form and must be approved by NHDC management.

Vendor Access

Approved maintenance vendors may be granted access to the NHDC during standard university business hours, provided the following requirements are met:

  • Pre-scheduled by the customer and approved by NHDC management
  • Provides company photo identification
  • Signs in and out with NHDC staff
  • Accompanied by UCSB staff while working in the facility

Visitors and Tours

Casual visits and drop-in tours are generally not permitted, but exceptions may be approved by NHDC management for data center customers. NHDC tours are offered to the campus community during Staff Celebration week.

Data Center Etiquette

  • Keep work areas clean and free of debris

  • Keep rack enclosures neat and free of loose materials
  • Keep rack doors closed unless work is actively being performed
  • Follow NHDC standards for cable dressing and slack management
  • Interact only with their department’s or organization’s hosted equipment
  • Avoid accessing or modifying NHDC-provided infrastructure unless instructed by NHDC management
  • Keep all food and beverages out of the data center machine room

Security

NHDC uses access control, visitor logs, and video surveillance to help maintain facility security. Video surveillance systems record activity within the data center.