The student lead data center at Kajaani University of Applied Sciences will be connected to the Funet network

Students studying Datacenter solutions at the School of Information Systems of Kajaani University of Applied Sciences have their own data center that is intended solely for teaching purposes and maintained entirely by students. During the spring semester, this student-maintained datacenter will be linked directly to Funet, the Finnish University and Research Network maintained by CSC.


Student overseeing the data center operations. Image: KAMK

This trial is the first of its kind in Finland, providing an excellent opportunity for practical learning.

– No equivalent system has been set up for teaching purposes elsewhere in Europe, either, says Joona Tolonen, Senior Lecturer at Kajaani University of Applied Sciences.

CSC's public Funet network connection and the student data center will be divided into four sections. Each class will be assigned one of them to manage. Each of the sections includes sufficient server capacity, its own firewall and several public IP addresses for setting up services. The students will thus have access to the entire technical chain of an IT service provider.

The new environment will pose interesting challenges to students.

– Data communications comprise a vital aspect of the operations of a high-quality data center environment. It's great that teaching at Kajaani University of Applied Sciences utilises a network solution that is as authentic as possible. We're pleased to support higher-education institutions by providing Funet network connections for uses such as these, says Teemu Kiviniemi, Development Manager of the Funet network.

In addition to gaming, students at Kajaani University of Applied Sciences can study engineering with a focus on gaming technology and smart systems (IoT solutions). The degree programmes in construction and mechanical engineering are running a robotics-related project. All fields are connected by the need for centralised storage and analysis solutions.

– We also provide training on the principles of datamining in cooperation with CSC. As a small university of applied sciences, we must engage in close cooperation with experts in the sector so that we can provide our students with the most up to date information. We wouldn't be able to do this by relying on our own staff resources alone, says Senior Lecturer Joona Tolonen.

Facts:
About 20 students study Datacenter solutions at the Kajaani University of Applied Sciences each year.

  • The student data center has IBM and Dell server solutions that are identical to the solutions used by many actors in the Kainuu region
  • Cooperation with CSC in both technology and expertise

More information:
Teemu Kiviniemi
Development Manager
CSC – IT Center for Science Ltd
tel. +358 (0)50 381 9528
teemu.kiviniemi(at)csc.fi

Joona Tolonen
Lecturer
Kajaani University of Applied Sciences
tel. 044 710 1516
joona.tolonen(at)kamk.fi