Cloud Compute & Data Storage

The University of California system has agreements in place for the three major compute and data storage cloud providers: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Microsoft’s Azure. These agreements provide researchers with discounted pricing and fees for services within security and privacy frameworks that are compliant with UC and UCLA policies.

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

UCLA’s IT Services’ Enterprise Technology unit is currently working with AWS on different configurations of core services – or landing zones – for departments and researchers that will enable expedited account creation, quick access to AWS services with baseline security settings, and a dashboard for cost and usage tracking and management. These landing zones will also include access to AWS CloudFormation templates for provisioning resources and running applications. The target launch of the IT Services’ AWS product is Fall 2020. Until then, follow the procedures described on the UCLA Software Central website to set up an AWS account that is covered under the UC systemwide agreement.

For more information, visit Amazon Web Services (AWS), University of California’s AWS Enterprise Customer Agreement (valid UCLA logon required), and the data use requirements and policies set by the campus for AWS products and services.

Google Cloud Platform (GCP)   

Researchers interested in establishing GCP accounts should email Ben Choi, our Google representative, with the information described in the GCP account creation instructions. Please cc both Chris Stromsoe and Lisa M. Snyder. Submitting this request via email begins the process to establish a billing ID and generate invoices for GCP activity. Applications for Google Cloud research credits can be submitted to cover initial set-up and testing costs. A special allocation of GCP credits and other resources are available for research related to COVID-19. For more information, visit Google Cloud.

Microsoft Azure

Instructions for creating a Microsoft Azure Online Services Account can be found within the information posted on the page that defines UCLA’s allowable data use parameters for Microsoft Azure Online Services. Azure is an open and flexible cloud platform that enables researchers to build, deploy, and manage applications across a global network of Microsoft-managed datacenters.