BIG DATA

MarquisNet Riverside, an affiliate of Las Vegas-based MarquisNet, LLC, a leading provider of next-generation co-location and disaster-recovery facilities, has begun hosting a collaborative supercomputing cluster for mission-critical computations and simulations that support University of California, Riverside's world-class research in biotechnology, medicine and nanotechnology.

This arrangement marks the first time the university's information technology has been housed off campus as its burgeoning research mission increases demand for high-performance computing, networking and storage.

A 64-node system offering users 96 terabytes of storage -- slightly more than all the data in the U.S. Library of Congress -- it will be part of a larger network of clusters throughout the University of California system called the UC Grid.

MarquisNet's 23,000-square-foot state-of-the-art data center in Riverside, Calif. houses the cluster, which consists of seven racks of computers. Four of these racks support the general high-performance computing needs of UCR researchers, while three host servers provide critical infrastructure services for the campus.

MarquisNet's Riverside facility is the most-robust type of data center in the industry. It features redundant systems for power and cooling as well as multiple distribution paths that are active and fault tolerant. An N+2 facility, it is SAS 70 certified, ensuring protection of data and systems in the event of power failures, system or equipment failures, and human-induced or natural disasters.

UCR's growing reputation for research excellence was cited as a factor in its being ranked ninth in U.S. News & World Report's list of "Schools to Watch," one of only three public universities in Southern California to reach the top 20.

MarquisNet Director of New Business Development Paul Reynosa said the company has combined the highest levels of security and redundancy with power provided by Riverside's municipal utility rather than a private utility provider.

"This ensures the lowest possible risk of any downtime from rolling blackouts or other causes," he said.

Highly trained MarquisNet staff regularly test and run routines of the company's critical power components, a key factor in ensuring business continuity for the company clients. "Many other data centers use third parties to test their systems, while we routinely rely on our own experienced employees to test and maintain our systems," Reynosa said.

In addition to co-location, MarquisNet Riverside provides a complete disaster recovery solution including everything needed to relocate staff following a disaster -- from assessing business critical needs to providing fully equipped alternative workspace, equipment, voice and data connectivity, technical support, and a comprehensive, ready-to-go call center.

MarquisNet Riverside is located in the heart of the Inland Empire, serving the greater Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, the 13th largest metropolitan area in the nation and California's leading job creator for more than 10 years. More than 1,000 companies have expanded into the region, including a growing number of Fortune 1000 businesses.

Built on earthquake-resistant bedrock, the MarquisNet facility is in the Riverside Technology Business Park, which is part of the Hunter Business Park, the largest and fastest developing industrial section in the Inland Empire. The facility offers immediate, direct access to major freeways and is only 17 miles from Ontario International Airport.