Advanced Computing Group (ACG) transition to ARCSIM FAQ
This area is dedicated to answering Frequently Asked Questions about the Advanced Computing Group’s (ACG) transition to ARCSIM.
Two informational webinars were scheduled in October to discuss the transition and respond to questions and comments.
Session 1 took place on Friday, October 11 from 10-11 am. A recording of that session can be found at this link.
Session 2 occurred on Tuesday, October 22 from 2-3 pm. A recording of that session can be found at this link.
FY25 Internal / Federal Rates
These rates will go into effect on January 20, 2025
| Service | Description | Billing Unit | Rate per Unit |
| L. Jackson: Project Coordination, Development, Training | Rate for consultation, development, or training provided by PhD level bioinformatician | Hour | $94.32 |
| R. Flagg: Project Coordination, Development, Training | Rate for advanced technical support, consulting services or custom development | Hour | $40.00 |
| C. Dalton: Project Coordination, Development, Training | Rate for advanced technical support, consulting services or custom development | Hour | $40.00 |
| CPU Core Hour | One single CPU core utilized for one hour | Hour | $0.005 |
| GPU Hour | One complete GPU utilized for one hour | Hour | $0.200 |
| Data Storage | Billable monthly based on 730 hour per month per TB | TB per Month | $8.00 |
| Virtual Machine | Dedicated nodes available in a pool; independent from other services; month based on 730 hours / mo, will be billed monthly; storage billed separately | vCPU per Month | $2.50 |
Pre-payments are not allowed under any circumstances. All payments must be for services rendered. Services purchased with sponsored funds must be directly allocable to the funding project.
CORE research resources are subsidized by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School (OVPRDGS) through the use of MEIF institutional funds, to advance research and economic development for the benefit of all Maine people.
Updated 12/16/2024
October 10, 2024
This is the message that was sent to the UMS community on October 10, 2024:
To the University of Maine System community,
We are writing today to share a strategic change that will enhance and expand the support of research computing available throughout the University of Maine System (System). To best leverage existing resources and improve the overall quality of research computing services, the University of Maine System Information Technology (UMS IT) Advanced Computing Group will be integrated into University of Maine Advanced Research Computing, Security, and Information Management (ARCSIM) effective today.
Computing and data storage services for the entire university research community will remain available and operational throughout the transition and will continue to be available to all System universities.
This realignment is intended to improve the efficiency and scalability of our System’s support for research computing, including high-performance computing (HPC), data analysis, data storage, visualization, and related services. The combined expertise and resources will better address the System’s growing research computing needs and provide a consistent, centralized support system operating under ARCSIM’s federally compliant service center structure. Additionally, the improved efficiencies through streamlined processes and optimization of resources will allow for enhanced services, faster response times, lower service costs, and greater accessibility.
We have scheduled two informational webinars this month (to be led by ARCSIM Director Shane Moeykens) to discuss the transition and respond to questions and comments. Those who have ongoing projects or upcoming needs are encouraged to reach out to the ARCSIM team (um.arcsim@maine.edu) to discuss support for their work during the transition.
All existing email addresses will be functional until all activity has transferred to ARCSIM email addresses. New support requests should be submitted using the ARCSIM service request form or by emailing um.arcsim@maine.edu.
Yes. Services provided using locally managed hardware will be maintained indefinitely.
As of October 2024, a formal timeline to implement a rate structure does not exist. Charging rates will help make research computing and data storage (RCD) sustainable. Our goal is to increase RCD capacity across UMS. Charging service rates will also help position ARCSIM for future investments in computational and data storage resources. Without a path towards sustainability, existing services are at risk of discontinuing, or similarly, becoming irrelevant due to obsolescence.
Any service that is already sustainable need not have a service rate applied. This will be determined methodically by the UMaine CORE financial administrative team.
Service rates will be set at a level that are compliant with Uniform Guidance service center guidelines. In addition, we are aware of the rates of outside providers and will work to offer our services at competitive rates that make them accessible to Maine researchers.
Any researcher who has an access agreement with UMS:IT based on previously purchased hardware, please contact um.arcsim@maine.edu and share details of the agreement, including the purchase date of the hardware, price, and any detailed specifications for the purchase that are available. How legacy agreements may or may not migrate to a CORE environment needs to be studied carefully, and it is recognized that consideration must be given. Any equipment placed under ARCSIM will be considered owned by the University of Maine System acting through ARCSIM/CORE and subject to ARCSIM/CORE guidelines and policies.
Yes. Placing hardware in the UMS:IT datacenter will become a more formalized process but not discontinued. All hardware purchased under this model will be governed by an MOU with a discrete start and end date. Any equipment placed under ARCSIM will be considered owned by the University of Maine System acting through ARCSIM/CORE and subject to ARCSIM/CORE guidelines and policies.
Yes. Startup funds will be a valid source of funding to purchase hardware for placement in local clusters. Any equipment placed under ARCSIM will be considered owned by the University of Maine System acting through ARCSIM/CORE and subject to ARCSIM/CORE guidelines and policies.
We have no plans to discontinue the virtual machine service at this time. Your website will continue to be hosted. We are exploring how to institute tiered access rates for virtual machines and will share updates in the future as detailed plans are developed.
Yes. We have no immediate plans to discontinue the virtual machine service at this time. If you are interested in using virtual machines in your classroom, please contact ARCSIM.