Integrating computing resources in the College of Engineering

Computing resources are a necessity for course work in all engineering disciplines. Some departments respond to these needs by creating small departmental computing laboratories with little collaboration, significant overlap in software and hardware, and ineffective use of space. Combining computing resources for a college can transform a decentralized, disconnected group of computers and laboratories into a centralized, unified computing environment. This could result in greater access, increased software availability, and better equipment. In this paper, the authors report on a transition to an integrated computing center and on the design and layout of such a facility. They discuss the hardware and software resources of a multi-platform, multi-discipline computing environment. Advantages and disadvantages of a centralized computing facility are addressed. The pros and cons are presented from the different viewpoints of the lab´s constituents: academic administrators, faculty, students, and facility staff