HMS IT has completed its data center relocation, marking a significant milestone in modernizing infrastructure to improve performance, scalability, and cost efficiency. This transition involved relocating over 22 petabytes of data across 262 devices, retiring 322 outdated systems, and reducing data center racks from 107 to 55, streamlining operations and reducing costs.
Key upgrades include over 800 fiber cables for faster connectivity, 400V power systems for energy efficiency, and improved cooling for long-term sustainability. These improvements will allow future expansion of the data center. For researchers, this relocation provides reliable, fast access to their data, making it easier to do research.
Strong collaboration and clear communication among IT teams, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS), Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT), and vendors over several months ensured minimal disruption and kept the project on track.
We appreciate the patience and support of the HMS community throughout this transition. This investment establishes a scalable and flexible infrastructure, enabling the rapid adoption of emerging technologies in research and education.