CIT Streamlines Windows Virtual Server Provisioning

CIT has implemented a new process for provisioning Microsoft Windows-based virtual servers—also referred to as virtual machines (VMs). The new, automated self-provisioning process significantly decreases turnaround time for requested Windows VMs, allowing most customers to get their servers within hours after CIT receives the request.

Faster provisioning

Before the new process was implemented, provisioning was done manually during business hours, which could take from one to three business days to complete. The new process cuts provisioning time to one to two hours, and can be performed any time—24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Once a VM is provisioned, it is released to the customer and the customers can install software and perform any necessary tests to make the server production-ready.

About our Windows Virtual Server Service

The new VM provisioning process is a feature of CIT's Windows Virtual Server Service. Server virtualization allows multiple guest operating system instances to run as VMs on the same physical host machine. The VM operating systems are independent of each other and are as secure as our physical servers. A cluster of physical machines provides the VMs with a pool of resources from which to access memory and processors as needed. The benefit to customers: reduced cost, improved capacity management, faster provisioning, and decreased downtime.

The proposed rate for a basic Windows VM is scheduled to decrease by nearly 30% in fiscal year 2012.

For more information about CIT's Windows Virtual Server Service, see the CIT Services Catalog online at http://cit.nih.gov/ServiceCatalog/VMWare.htm.

Provisioning through ASR

Existing CIT customers with established projects can take advantage of the new provisioning process when submitting an Application Service Request (ASR) for a Windows VM. The ASR system prompts customers for specific information, including server location (NIH Data Center on the Bethesda campus or the Sterling, VA facility), operating system (Windows2008R2-64bit, Windows2008-32bit, Windows2003R2-32bit), number of CPUs, and RAM.

Once the ASR is submitted, the automated provisioning process begins. The system generates a service ticket and the customer-provided data is used to automatically provision the VM server. When a customer adds a server, CIT will make the appropriate adjustment to charges on the customer's CIT account. Also, as result of the additional server being provided, the customer's Service Level Agreement will be updated to reflect the change. For instructions on submitting an ASR for a VM, see the Self-Service Provisioning web page at: http://cit.nih.gov/ServiceCatalog/SelfServWin.

For more information

If you're not a current CIT customer but want to request a Windows VM or would like more information, contact the NIH IT Service Desk by submitting an online request at: http://itservicedesk.nih.gov/Support/ or calling 301-496-4357 (6-HELP) (local), 866-319-4357 (toll free), or 301-496-8294 (TTY).

For information about other services, see the CIT Services Catalog online at http://cit.nih.gov/ServiceCatalog/.

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