Branch Head: Ofer Aaronson
The IT Infrastructure Branch is responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of the Institute's state-of-the-art central computing and technology infrastructure, as well as its multi-level data security facilities.
We offer a broad range of telephony and communication, messaging, backup, file and content storage and sharing, and datacenter services, and provide comprehensive end-user support. We select, deploy and configure hardware platforms and personal computers, define the Institute's data integrity and network security policies, and maintain and support inter-departmental technology partnerships and interfaces.
The branch employs 45 professionals, and comprises the sections detailed below.
Networking and Operations Section
Section Head: Naor Elkayam
Our Networking and Operations section maintains the Institute's data communication infrastructure and manages all active networking devices throughout the campus.
The Networking and Operations section's responsibilities include:
- Communication infrastructure
- Data networking and network communication
- Data center management and maintenance (including all supporting energy and utilities infrastructure)
- Information security
- Off-campus Internet and network access
Server Section
Section Head: Jeffrey Dikstra
Our Server section designs, establishes and maintains the computer infrastructure serving all of the Institute's scientific and administrative staff.
The section is responsible for the following:
- Virtualization, physical server hosting and server maintenance
- The Exchange mail system
- The identity management system
- File servers
- Backup servers
- Database infrastructure
Information Security Section
Section Head: Nir Davidov
Our Information Security section is in charge of all of the technology and organizational means utilized to assure full data confidentiality, integrity and availability, all while allowing unhindered information flow throughout the Institute.
As a first line of defense, we log every authorized computing device’s physical address, and deny all others access. Users are authenticated via RSA, which prevents anyone but personnel with SecurID cards and authorized PINs (Personal Identification Numbers) from accessing Institute systems.
We secure all communication links connecting the Institute with the outside world with a Checkpoint firewall solution, with stringent protection against potential hackers, virus attacks and other malicious software. We employ Gateway and eSafe solutions to keep our e-mail as clean of spam as possible, and keep our software applications safe and secure via a Fortinet application firewall and a McAfee intrusion prevention system.
Finally, we provide high Web access performance via a proxy solution assuring the fastest page loads.
High Performance Computing Section
Section Head: Vadim Malkin
Our High Performance Computing section is in charge of the planning, deployment and maintenance of the central HPC facility named WEXAC (Weizmann EXAscale Cluster), which comprises more than 6,000 CPU cores, GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) servers, a 2-petabyte high performance storage system, and an archive solution for researchers of all Weizmann Institute of Science faculties.
HPC Section professionals handle compilation of source code for various scientific applications, so as to achieve the highest possible performance. We maintain more than 600 different scientific applications, all organized as WEXAC modules for easy access and use. We additionally support utilization of container/docker-based applications.
A robust IBM-based LSF (Load Sharing Facility) scheduler allows High Performance Computing customers to use shared HPC cluster resources in both member and non-member operation modes. A fair share policy facilitates equal distribution of scientific WEXAC workloads.
The High Performance Computing section is also in charge of public cloud-enabling technologies, which allow WIS scientists to utilize such public cloud platforms as Amazon’s AWS (Amazon Web Services) or Microsoft Azure, as a means of simplifying scientific collaboration, and providing access to extra resources should those available on Institute premises prove insufficient.
Support Section
Section Head: Miha Gottlieb
Our Support section employs 25 professionals providing the Institute’s entire staff with comprehensive personal computing support. Its personnel is highly experienced and possesses profound background in all relevant fields.
The section is divided up into the following two teams:
- IT HelpDesk – the front line for malfunction handling.The HelpDesk hotline is active continuously, Sundays through Thursdays, from 07:00 to 17:00, and on Fridays and holiday eves, from 08:00 to 13:00. Requests for service can be submitted by phone - 08-9344444 (4444 internal).
- Senior Support – a secondary support line handling complex malfunctions, and responsible for solution development and project implementation. This team of professionals possesses extensive expertise in a range of fields, including communication, video conferencing, printing, scientific applications, Macintosh computing and many more.
Telecommunication Section
Section Head: Eyal Donald
Our Telecommunication section delivers and maintains all of the Institute's telephony and cellular communication services.
The very core of the section’s activities lies in the central switchboard serving more than 3,000 extensions throughout the campus.
The Telecommunication section is responsible for seamless landline operation, maintenance and relocation, as well as for deployment of new extensions, as required.The section works in close coordination with telecommunication group Bezeq and is also tasked with implementation of all infrastructure required to support remote (off-campus) connection to the Institute's network, including DSL connections for science personnel and global data links delivered by a variety of international service providers. Additional services rendered include direct telephony and international calling cards.
To contact our operators, dial 88 locally or +972 (8) 9342111/3111 from outside the Institute.