Service Description
Use this request to ask for help selecting, quoting, purchasing, or setting up a new or replacement computer or computing device used for research.
This includes research workstations and research computing equipment located in research spaces. ITS can help identify an appropriate configuration based on the research need.
Research computers must meet University security standards and run a supported operating system, such as Windows 11, macOS, or an approved Linux distribution. Research hardware is generally not covered by the centralized funding model and requires grant, departmental, RF, startup, or other approved funding.
What’s Included
- Consultation on research workstation or device needs
- Quote support for standard and custom configurations
- Review of software, instrument, storage, or operating system needs
What’s Not Included
- Problems with existing research workstations or devices. Please report the problem here instead.
- Repair of scientific instruments or vendor-owned hardware
- Furniture, lab equipment, or peripherals not managed by ITS
- Funding for research hardware purchases
Eligibility
Available to UAlbany faculty, staff, researchers, research groups, labs, departments, and research support staff requesting computing equipment for research use.
Funding
Research workstations and research computing devices are generally not covered by the centralized workstation funding model. A grant, department, RF, startup, or other approved funding source is usually required.
Requestor Responsibilities
- Describe the research need and primary software, instruments, or workflows
- Provide the research space building and room number that the workstation or device will reside in
- Identify whether the device is new, a replacement, or connected to an instrument
- Provide operating system preference and specialized hardware needs
- Provide a funding source for the purchase
- Submit requests as early as possible, since procurement of custom configurations may take 3-4 months or longer
- Review and approve quotes before purchase
- Identify any security, data, networking, storage, or compliance needs