[IMC-Tech] PROPOSAL: hosting server(s) at calyx

[patrick]

Hello,

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

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PROPOSAL SUMMARY
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mtoups (matt), ski (brian) and patrick propose that, if donated colo space
becomes available at Calyx.net, that it be used by the imc-tech network to
house server(s) hosting the as many of the following imc sites as
possible, relocating them respectively (resources permitting):

1) imc sites currently hosted by dega, staughton and walesa.

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: If space is donated, our plan is to setup server(s) at Calyx
within the next 2 weeks, before the FTAA (likely at their new york
facility).

mtoups, ski and patrick will take responsibility for sysadmin'ing and
otherwise managing this colo space and the servers, along with anyone else
who is interested.  Specifically, patrick will take responsibility to
coordinate new york area sysadmins willing to help manage the space and
servers, and/or be available in times of crisis.

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Background
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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.  The person
donating has agreed, please see the respective proposal on the imc-tech
list.

In terms of colo, we have contacted Calyx to inquire if they might be able
to donate additional colo space to indymedia.  Calyx currently generously
hosts the berkman imc server at their amsterdam facility, making available
an incredible resource.  The potential of donated space is still being
negotiated, but initial signs are positive.

Because of shipping costs, decentralization and local, physical access, we
would currently prefer for this to occur at their new york facility.  We
separated out the rackmount proposal in order to still move forward with
setting up the Calyx colo with other hardware, in the event that the
servers do not become available.

If the rackmounts are not available, reports are that there are
potentially servers available from another source (either at just shipping
cost, or possibly totally donated).

Apart from ski, mtoups and himself, patrick knows of at least 3 other
potential sysadmins who are local to new york city.  They could likely
assist during crisis situations, if not contribute more general labor on
an ongoing basis (ski and mtoups are not local to new york city).


Thanks,
patrick, on behalf of ski and mtoups