Information technologies are the foundation of the development of every university. A strong IT department is the key to the development of information technology at the University. This department performs maintenance of existing and planning the development of new software packages at the University. The Technical Support Department maintains and improves the infrastructure and other resources, and provides support to other University and faculty staff.

Why a virtual information system?

Rational use of resources is a prerequisite for efficient operation of the University. Virtualization of information systems is increasingly emerging as a basic model of information technology management that greatly improves the efficiency and availability of resources and applications within the University. The current trend of increasing sales of server products for virtualization clearly shows that users have noticed the real advantage of such a way of building information systems. The two trends we distinguish in virtualization are server and client virtualization.

Virtualization allows us to rationally use resources such as computing power (processor, memory, network resources), electricity, and ultimately the time required to control and manage remote server units.

Multiple physical servers used separately, for one or only two purposes only (e-mail server, web server, file server, printer server, special servers with databases, etc.) can be consolidated into one with the help of virtualization software the only physical server. In this way, hradware resources are fully utilized.

With standard use of server units, the utilization of processing power most of the time ranges between 10 and 20 percent, and similar results in the test show the memory of server units. With virtualization, resources are allocated to all virtual machines in an optimal way and their usability is much higher.

Objectives of information system virtualization

Consolidation of hardware resources

With the help of virtualization, we use one server unit completely, and turn it into a multi-purpose platform (Linux server, Microsoft Exchange server, web server, file server, etc.). This will reduce power consumption and unnecessary accumulation of hardware in the server room, and save money intended for the purchase of expensive and redundant server units and components.

Increasing the efficiency of IT staff

When introducing new applications, it is not necessary to plan the procurement of new infrastructure, installation of operating systems, and execution of all other preliminaries, but it is easy to implement applications on the existing virtualized server unit. Applications can be ready to run on the same day, so there is no need to spend time maintaining unnecessary hardware, but IT staff can dedicate themselves to improving the functionality of the information infrastructure and optimizing business processes.

Data protection against IT equipment failure

In the event of a hardware failure or application failure, the virtualized infrastructure ensures faster data recovery and system recovery. Also, today there are various products that protect against data loss and provide constant and uninterrupted availability to users of the information system.

It is important to note that University data (databases on students, employees, etc.) are subject to the provisions of the "Law on Personal Data Protection" (Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina No. 49/06)

Project beneficiaries

The equipment envisaged by the project will be installed at the University Main Hub. The beneficiaries of this project are the University and all faculties. This project is the basis for the integration of the University. This project should improve the existing capacities of the University network and the performance of e-mail and database servers, and to enable the implementation of other projects at the University level.
The beneficiaries of this project will be all teaching and other staff, students who work or study at the University "Džemal Bijedić" in Mostar.

Significance of the project

It is necessary to plan informatization in the long run and systematically, in order to ensure the modular expansion of the network and services, and the development and functioning of the system in conditions of a significant increase in demand (number of users, increased traffic, modern services, etc.). This project should provide the infrastructure that is the basis of a modern IT system. The University Information System enables the unhindered use of all available resources to faculties and other members of the University. Currently, more than 1,000 computers (faculties, classrooms, laboratories, student dormitories, etc.) are connected to a single network at the University. Upgrading existing resources should enable better access to the Internet, and more recently to the academic network of BiH (BIHARNET, FARNET).

Year: 2011

Project leader: Salko Kovačić

Source of funding: Federal Ministry of Education and Science

Budget: 60,000 KM