[IMC-Tech] PROPOSAL: rackmount server disbursement/site moves

[patrick]

Hello,

Apologies for cross-posting, this proposal appears relevant to both tech
and sysadmin.

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PROPOSAL SUMMARY
----------------

mtoups (matt), ski (brian) and patrick propose that the rackmount servers
recently offered for donation be used by the imc-tech network to host the
following imc sites, relocating them respectively:

1) imc sites currently hosted by dega, staughton and walesa.  In effect
the rackmounts would replace these physical servers.

2) nyc.indymedia.org, after it's shifted to a new codebase.

3) www.indymedia.org, after it's shifted to a new codebase (contingent on
approval of respective proposal).

Timeframe: We propose that the rackmounts be sent and shipping paid for
within the next 2 weeks, so that their setup can occur before the FTAA.
Compensation for the rackmounts may also occur at this time, or be
deferred.

mtoups, ski and patrick will take responsibility for sysadmin'ing and
otherwise managing the servers, along with anyone else who is interested.

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Background
----------

patrick is working with mtoups, ski and others to shift nyc.indymedia.org
and www.indymedia.org (contingent on approval) to a new codebase (dadaIMC,
sf-active or mir), and this requires moving them off stallman (a
long-standing imc server which could use some relief in general).

mtoups and ski already have a few lower-traffic sites transferred over
from stallman and other servers, to their servers in pittsburgh:
dega.indymedia.org, staughton and walesa (db).  However, there are limits
on bandwidth and in general the colo situation there is not stable.

new york and global are high-traffic sites, and require a more stable
environment, higher bandwidth and better hardware.  In terms of better
hardware, there is currently an offer to imc-tech for rackmount servers,
and we would like to take advantage of these for the project:

http://lists.indymedia.org/pipermail/imc-tech/2003-September/011827.html

The friendly person making the offer, Paul, has agreed to send us the
servers for this hosting project if it is approved.  He is asking for us
to pay shipping, and if possible some limited compensation.  We can either
ask each imc to be hosted by the machines to cover these costs
collectively, and/or use any existing imc-tech funds.  Paul is okay with
the compensation being deferred until funds can be raised.  The exact
amount of compensation beyond shipping has not been proposed, but Paul
would like it to be relative to available resources.

Paul, mtoups and others will be less available during the FTAA, and events
in Miami could adversely impact setting up a project like this.
Therefore, we would like to move on this project quickly, to have the
servers sent and setup before events start on 19 Nov 03.

In terms of colo, our current plan (contingent on approval) is to use
donated colo space at Calyx, if it becomes available (likely at their new
york facility).  Calyx currently generously hosts the berkman imc server
at their amsterdam facility, making available an incredible resource.
This possibility is still being negotiated, please see the respective
proposal on the imc-tech list.  We separated out the Calyx proposal in
order to still move forward with setting up the rackmounts at another
location, in the event that facility does not become available.

If it is not available, reports are that there are other colo
possibilities, although some may possibly carry a discounted hosting fee.


Thanks,
patrick, on behalf of ski and mtoups