Nectar self-service virtual machines

Self-service virtual machines provide computational resources to speed up research analyses, facilitate innovative methods, support long-running tasks, or free up your desktop or laptop to do other activities.

• Control over software and user management
• Able to work with external collaborators
• Access to GPUs. See: University of Auckland Specific Services
• Access to Windows and Linux environments

• Requires consideration of the Data classification standard for data used on the virtual machine.
• Requires active management of data, security, users, and software.
• Requires proficiency in using the command line for accessing Linux virtual machines.
• Requires an understanding of how to manage virtual machines on the public cloud.
• Requires renewal at end of allocation period to avoid automated offboarding process.
• Data back up is the researcher's responsibility.

Self-service virtual machines are available to full-time/fixed-term staff, and doctoral candidates. Postgraduate students and casual staff need their supervisor or principal investigator to request/manage an allocation and share access with them. Access is free for University staff and doctoral candidates.

You need an ORCID to request and renew allocations. Request a self-service virtual machine by logging in to the Nectar Research Cloud dashboard with your University credentials via Tuakiri. Select ‘Allocations’ from the left-hand menu and ‘New Request’.

Before requesting a self-service virtual machine, an optional consultation can be used to:

• Identify the classification of the data you are working with on the virtual machine, with reference to the Data classification standard.
• Ensure that a self-service virtual machine is right for you by understanding the nature of the work you're doing.
• Identify appropriate hardware settings (CPU, GPU, and RAM).
• Understand your software requirements (operating system, preinstalled software).
• Establish data storage requirements.

Users of self-service virtual machines are required to:

• Abide by the ARDC Standard Terms of Service.
• Ensure the operating system and applications are updated and security-patched.
• Adhere to security best practices when configuring and managing cloud resources or services.

The Centre for eResearch will:

• Install a security vulnerability scanner to perform automated, fortnightly security scans, and send results to a University vulnerability system.
• Add a default management account used to perform automated administrative tasks for the purposes of maintaining security or complying with software licensing terms.

If security issues identified by the Centre for eResearch are not addressed in a timely manner, network access to your self-service virtual machine will be restricted to management protocols on the University virtual private network, meaning it can only be accessed to fix the security issues. If the security issues are not fixed after an extended time, the virtual machine will be paused and locked.

• ARDC Nectar Research Cloud Tutorials
• See the Cloud Starter Series for a collection of useful tutorials to get started.

Selecting an appropriate Nectar Research Cloud data classification

When requesting or renewing an allocation, you will need to select the appropriate data classification within the Nectar Research Cloud Dashboard. The Nectar Research Cloud sensitive data classification framework maps broadly to the University's Data classification standard:

• Green: Public
• Yellow: Internal
• Orange: Sensitive
• Red: Restricted

Nectar Research Cloud
Email: nectarinfo@auckland.ac.nz

Sean Matheny
Senior Platforms & Services Engineer
Email: s.matheny@auckland.ac.nz